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Restaurant brands that entered the metaverse in 2022Restaurant brands that entered the metaverse in 2022

From Starbucks to Taco Bell, here are restaurants that dipped their toes into the Web3 world of virtual marketing and brand engagement

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

December 6, 2022

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If we had to boil the restaurant industry in 2022 down to a few buzzwords, one of them would definitely be the metaverse.

If we had to boil the restaurant industry in 2022 down to a few buzzwords, one of them would definitely be the metaverse. While a large percentage of consumers still has no idea what the metaverse is, or how to access it, restaurants are increasingly betting on the future of the brand engagement opportunities available in virtual reality.

In 2022, most major American brands — inside the restaurant industry and outside of it — applied for trademarks within the metaverse. That way, even if they had no intention of setting up shop in the Web3-verse, they could still protect their brand from copycats. But while some brands still have not done anything with their copyright, others have created virtual worlds. From being able to play interactive games with Chipotle and Wendy’s, to getting married at a Taco Bell in virtual reality, 2022 was the year for several major brands to begin experimenting with the metaverse.

If you need a refresher on what exactly is the metaverse, check out our explainer here.

We predict that in 2023, more brands will follow suit as the metaverse and NFT programs become the next wave of digital loyalty programs.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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