Weekly Roundup – Week of 3.13.2023
March 17, 2023
Today’s roundup features this week’s top-trending food and beverage-related stories curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Mad Deals From Popular Chains During The NCAA Tournament
Fans are hungry for great food and snacks when watching their favorite teams compete in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Restaurants will score extra points with deals that boost traffic and online orders. Here are some delicious deals we consider slam-dunks:
- Hooters will host its 40th annual bracket challenge with chances to win trips, gift cards, or a shocking $40,000. Oh, and they have deals on food bundles, too.
- Auntie Anne’s is offering free delivery on game days when ordering through the app or online with a chance to win a prize pack after three visits.
- Buffalo Wild Wings gives Blazin’ Rewards members a free order of wings when a game goes into overtime by checking in at Buffalo Wild Wings on game day or placing an order online. Then six free boneless wings will be delivered to your account the following day.
- Tim Horton’s takes March Madness deals to the next level with its Roll Up to Win Promotion, giving away $1,000 a day through April 2, and additional prizes such as a new 2023 Ford Bronco Big Bend and a trip to Universal Orland Resort.
Find the complete list of all 21 chains making mad deals this tournament, HERE.
It’s Official! Food Giant Kellogg Will Split Into Two Companies
Kellogg made an official announcement that it will separate into two independent companies – Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co. – to focus on specific strategic priorities. Kellanova will be the moniker for all snacking brands and will also include plant-based foods like MorningStar Farms. The use of “Kell” recognizes the new company’s connection to Kellogg, while the Latin word “nova,” which means new, is meant to signal its ambition to be a global snacking powerhouse, according to Steve Cahillane, CEO of Kellogg and future CEO of Kellanova. Kellogg turned to its global workforce of which nearly 1,000 employees submitted more than 4,000 name suggestions, according to the yahoo!finance article. Learn More.
The Happiest Hour(s) Of The Day For Restaurants
Happy hour has remained one of the most popular dayparts attracting repeat visitors and new customers seeking out these occasions even more than they did before COVID, as noted in the FSR article. Guests love a good deal on food and drinks and remote consumers are looking to get out of the house earlier to make the social connections they’re lacking when working from home. Restaurants such as Hopdoddy and Indigo Road Hospitality concept, Maya, have seen great success in catering their menus and drink specials specifically during their happy hour window. Read The Article.
One University C-store Leverages Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology
Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, known as Saints 24, powers its c-store with Amazon’s frictionless Just Walk Out checkout technology. “Becoming the first university in the U.S. to collaborate with Amazon in incorporating its Just Walk Out technology at an on-campus convenience shop demonstrates how Marymount is leading the way in fostering an innovative and exciting student experience that appeals to the tech-savvy college students of today,” said Irma Becerra, president of Marymount University. The variety of products available for purchase is based on feedback from the university’s Student Government Association and includes items from sandwiches and sushi to other non-food essentials. Read More.
Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm?
Just in time for Easter, Aldi is offering all kinds of seasonal treats to enjoy during family gatherings and for filling kids Easter baskets. One such treat has gone viral, gaining over 7.1 million views on Twitter, for the controversial shape of the new “Marshmallow Bunnies & Chicks”. The response has been overwhelming and Aldi shoppers are engaging with the brand, questioning the product, and even Aldi commented, “We can’t even defend this one.”
On the beverage side of things, Coors Light wants to cash in on March Madness with their latest product Coors-icles, a non-alcoholic beer-flavored popsicle. The company plans to use Dick Vitale, legendary sportscaster, to help promote this NA product during commercials throughout the tournament in an effort to keep fans cooled down during heated games. Over 800 bars nationwide will be offering this frozen treat available through April 3. Do you think fans will be left saying, “where’s the alcohol?”
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