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Influencer marketing takes off with restaurant brandsInfluencer marketing takes off with restaurant brands

From Keith Lee to Cody Rigsby, brands team with social media stars

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

December 13, 2024

6 Slides
1 Kieth Lee

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Restaurant brands increased their leverage of influencers on social media to promote products in 2024.

The influencers resonated with the Gen Z demographic and helped position brands top of mind, even if was just for a fleeting moment.

Nation’s Restaurant News highlighted the influence of influencers by devoting half the annual Power List to them.

Brands as varied as Five Guys and Chopt partnered with social-media influencers to promote products.

Other companies, like The Wendy’s Co., teamed with existing online merchandisers for special offers.

Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern predicted that in five years, consumers will be curating restaurant brands more.

“Younger generations … they want to be a part of the decision-making process. They’re making a conscious decision to attach their personal brand to our brands. It’s a collaboration now,” he said.

Here are a few of the Influencer ad campaigns among restaurant brands this year:

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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