Marketing Bites

The weekly column from Managing Editor Heather Lalley, looking at the restaurant industry's latest marketing gimmicks, trends and campaigns.

Marketing

David Chang and the case of the chili crunch trademark

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 10, 2024

Marketing Bites: The celebrity chef is getting some less-than-positive press this week. Plus, Chipotle burritos don the green jacket and Wow Bao’s metaverse debut.

Marketing

Shake Shack wants a spring in its step

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 03, 2024

Marketing Bites: The burger chain is counting down to warmer weather, restaurants look to soften the Tax Day blow and Cava turns to TikTok for menu inspiration.

Marketing

Beware the menu fools of April

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 27, 2024

Marketing Bites: April Fools’ Day is nigh, and nary a restaurant chain marketer can be trusted.

Marketing

Restaurants brighten menus with total solar eclipse specials

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 21, 2024

Marketing Bites: Not wanting to miss out on a marketing opportunity that won’t come around again for 20 years, big chains and indies are getting in on the celestial action.

Marketing

Habit Burger Grill cooks up a kids’ meal—for adults

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 13, 2024

Marketing Bites: The fast-casual burger chain repositions value; restaurants gear up for March Madness.

Marketing

Restaurants circle Pi Day on their marketing calendars

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 06, 2024

Marketing Bites: Operators gear up for 3.14 with deals. Plus, how one daytime dining chain is marking International Women’s Day.

Marketing

Wendy’s and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad public-relations week

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 28, 2024

Marketing Bites: After its now-walked back comments about dynamic pricing, the burger chain is catching the flame-grilled indignation of some restaurant competitors.

Marketing

McDonald’s flips its ‘M’ for manga fans

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 21, 2024

Marketing Bites: The burger giant becomes WcDonald’s on Monday, with a limited-time spicy WcNugget sauce. Plus, Zoup! has a new name but the exclamation point isn’t going away.

Marketing