Chains mull benefits of value menus, combo deals
Chains mull benefits of value menus, combo deals
Feb 23, 2009
Dairy Queen’s Sweet Deals value menu may be rolling out nationally just in time to fight the recession, but it’s hardly a knee-jerk reaction to economic pressure, according to officials. The chain began testing the offer in 2007, before the...
FS/TEC 2009: CIOs say software key to cold, hard cash
FS/TEC 2009: CIOs say software key to cold, hard cash
Feb 23, 2009
ORLANDO Fla. —With the economic trend line showing no signs of reversing direction any time soon, the industry’s top chief information officers say they are focusing on technology that will help...
Twitter promo sparks couponing at Costa Vida
Feb 20, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY Costa Vida said a one-day-only, free-burrito offer to 80 “fans” on Twitter.com was forwarded to 15,000 individuals, prompting more than 2,500 people to redeem the virtual coupon at the chain’s 21 restaurants. “This mobile...
Outback parent takes a beating in 4Q
Outback parent takes a beating in 4Q
Feb 19, 2009
TAMPA Fla. The hits just keep on coming for the casual-dining sector. Late Wednesday, OSI Restaurant Partners LLC, which operates the Outback Steakhouse chain and other brands, reported that sharply negative same-store sales, the current...
Chains look to hook customers with two-for-one deals
Feb 18, 2009
MARYVILLE Tenn. As restaurants feel the pinch from cost-cutting consumers, some casual-dining chains are looking to pump up traffic with special two-for-one offers. T.G.I. Friday's and Ruby Tuesday this week launched promotions with...
Boston Market promos deals with sweepstakes
Feb 18, 2009
GOLDEN Colo. Boston Market Corp. on Wednesday launched the $50,000 Fresh Start Sweepstakes, the brand’s first-ever game promotion. Officials of the 530-unit rotisserie chicken chain are hoping the sweepstakes will drive traffic by promoting lower...
BOBurrito launch reaches out to younger customers
BOBurrito launch reaches out to younger customers
Feb 16, 2009
COLUMBUS Ohio Bob Evans is reaching out to younger diners with an online-marketing campaign and a college campus tour centered on its new BOBurrito breakfast item. —Bob Evans Farms Inc. of...
Dinnerhouses seek positives despite negative economy
Dinnerhouses seek positives despite negative economy
Feb 16, 2009
The dark economic cloud hanging over the casual-dining segment has become so dismal that even its silver lining appears a tad tarnished. But operators and investors nonetheless say they see rays of hope...
Carvel dishes about Fudgie’s big mobile adventure
Carvel dishes about Fudgie’s big mobile adventure
Feb 16, 2009
ATLANTA Carvel Ice Cream, based here, despite the success of its first-ever text-messaging campaign last year, is not planning any mobile marketing for 2009, said Lori Petersen, vice president of marketing. She recently explained that decision...
Denny’s scores hit with Grand Slam giveaway
Denny’s scores hit with Grand Slam giveaway
Feb 16, 2009
SPARTANBURG S.C. —Denny’s high-profile free-breakfast promotion earlier this month was a grand slam home run, according to executives and franchisees of the family-dining chain, who say they are...
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