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Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery every Sunday in September to help alleviate back-to-school woes. “For many, Sunday means a case of the scaries so Chipotle is making it easier to cope,” the Newport Beach, Calif.-based fast-casual chain said. The free delivery offer is valid on orders that are $10 or more and made via the company’s app or website.
The brand is also hosting a fun promotion geared toward hungry college students.
“Chipotle recognizes that it goes through over 5.5 million bottles of Tabasco sauce annually, some of which go “missing” in locations near college campuses along with its utensils,” the company said. Instead of borrowing these goods, Chipotle is giving away a “Things You Borrow Kit” to the first 50 digital orders made on Sundays in September in “select” markets near college campuses.
The brand has about 2,500 stores in the U.S.
Noodles & Company has found a sneaky way to introduce a serving of vegetables into a kid’s meal. The Broomfield, Co.-based fast-casual chain is introducing a cauliflower-infused rigatoni dish nationwide Sept. 25. The hybrid pasta, dubbed Caulifloodles, has a different taste profile and texture compared to the brand’s spiralized zucchini noodles. Zoodles have been a tougher sell for children and are rarely used as a pasta substitute on kids’ meals, CEO Dave Boennighausen said. The cauliflower-infused noodles, a permanent addition to the menu, will be featured in two new limited-time-only dishes: Cauliflower Rigatoni in Light Onion Cream Sauce and the Cauliflower Rigatoni Fresca with Shrimp. Noodles is also removing soft drinks from its kid’s meal to promote healthier options, the brand told Nation’s Restaurant News this week.
New England staple Bertucci’s has introduced Bertucci’s Bundles, an off-premise deal designed for families or large groups. “With schools back in session and busy routines kicking in, Bertucci’s is here to make mealtime easy for you and your family. Each customizable multi-course meal bundle comes with Bertucci’s famous fresh-baked rolls, disposable silverware packets, plates and napkins,” the Massachusetts-based brand said. A $35 Pizza Bundle comes with a choice of salad (insalata or Caesar), choice of one large signature pizza or craft your own 2-topping pizza, a small cheese pizza and four mini traditional cannoli. The $45 Classic Bundle includes choice of salad, choice of two, family-style entrees, large signature pizzas, or craft your own 2-topping pizzas and four mini traditional cannoli. Bundles are available through Sept. 27.
If you’re just looking to load up on pizza after a late afternoon soccer practice, try Two for Tuesday at Bertucci’s. Customers who purchase a large brick oven pizza will receive a free large cheese pizza. This ongoing promotion is available for dine-in or carryout. Bertucci’s operates nearly 60 restaurants in the East Coast — from New England to Virginia.
Del Taco is bringing back a protein favorite for the fall: carnitas. To celebrate, the Lake Forest, Calif.-based quick-service chain is having a little fun with its cross-town rival, Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell. Select Southern California restaurants are daring Taco Bell customers, especially school-age superfans, to take their favorite Taco Bell menu item to a Del Taco and ask for a topping of Carnitas. If they do, they’ll get a scoop of carnitas for free. The deal is available Sept. 18 at two Del Taco locations in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City from 2 to 6 p.m. and in an Atlanta restaurant from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
“Carnitas is a favorite amongst our fans, with guests asking for it year round, and is something that is not offered by our biggest competitor,” Barry Westrum, Del Taco’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.
For consumers not near one of these locations, Del Taco is offering a free Carnitas Combo Burrito or Carnitas Loaded Fries with any purchase through the Del Taco app. Anyone, not just kids, is able to participate in each promotion.
Chain restaurants and pastry shops should take a cue from indie brands like Blackmarket Bakery. The Southern California-based bakery, known for its gourmet baked goods and pastries, has launched a happy hour-inspired promotion geared toward family or group sharing on Friday nights. The chain’s Costa Mesa and San Diego bakeries are offering flights of the following on different Friday nights from Sept. 20 through Nov. 1: Mini Cream Puffs, S’mores, Milk and Cookies, Pretzel Bomb, Mini Cinnamon Rolls, shown, Mini Halloween flight and a Mini Pavlova flight. They cost $8 to $12. Upscale casual dining chain Seasons 52 offers mini desserts, but this Friday Night Flights idea needs to catch on elsewhere. After all, isn’t dessert made for sharing with loved ones?
Fast-casual pizza brand Blaze Pizza recently rolled out a “shareable” pizza pie geared for delivery. The Pasadena, Calif.-based chain, known for its individually-sized 11-inch custom pies, created a 14-inch pizza to compete with traditional players like Domino’s as it dives into nationwide delivery. To entice guests to make an off-premise order, the brand is offering free delivery now through Sept. 29. Online orders must be made through Blaze’s website or app. Delivery is through either Postmates or DoorDash, but the free delivery is only available through the company’s in-house digital channels.
