All of a sudden, much of the country seems to have turned into Arizona, with a hot, dry summer coming on the heels of a remarkably mild winter. Here are five ways that months of odd weather have affected—and will continue to …
restaurants
America’s Grouchiest, Dirtiest Family Restaurants
Few diners head to Friendly’s or Waffle House expecting top-of-the-line cuisine, service or ambience. The results of a new survey indicate that these chains seem to live up to their expectations.
Is a Quick-Service Pizza Joint Really the Most Satisfying Chain Restaurant Experience?
American consumers are apparently very satisfied with national pizza chains. The highest score in a new customer satisfaction survey was awarded to Papa John’s, while one of its low-cost pizza rivals, Little Caesar, also had one …
It’s Official: We’re Comfortable Ordering Pizza Online
For the first time ever, Domino’s surpassed $1 billion in digital sales in the U.S. over a 12-month period. To celebrate—and pump up e-sales even further—the chain is offering a 50% off pizza deal. Only, of course, for …
Big Chain Restaurant Trends: Hot Menu Items, Hot Marketing Strategies
In recent years, the rise of better burger franchises and fast-casual chains such as Panera Bread and Chipotle has put pressure on sit-down chain restaurants and classic fast food joints alike. As the competition for diner …
Self-Serve Revolution: How Touchscreens Are Replacing Human Customer Service
Back in the day, screens allowed you to do one thing: Sit down with popcorn and watch Blade Runner. Today, they can do things that even go beyond what last generation’s science fiction could imagine. Those old sci-fi writers did …
Restaurants at Car Dealerships? Jungle Gyms and Water Parks at Malls? New Reasons to Go Shopping
Businesses will go to great, and sometimes unusual, lengths in order to entice customers into going shopping. With the goal of becoming a “destination,” rather than just another place to shop, malls and car dealerships are getting creative. They’re installing new features and additions in order to woo consumers and set themselves apart …
This Free Pizza Offer is Being Criticized as Discrimination
When retailers and restaurants offer freebies, the point is to draw attention—not controversy. The only reason to protest 7-Eleven for giving out free Slurpees or Haagen-Dazs for dishing out free ice cream cones might be that the complimentary serving sizes are too small. But what do you expect when you’re paying $0? Now, though, a …
It’s Gift Card Season! 10 Springtime Bonuses That Are Like Free Money
Spring is now a hot season for gift cards. Why? It’s when consumers are compelled to buy gifts for Mother’s Day, as well as graduations, weddings, First Communions, Father’s Day, and more. That’s a lot of gifts to buy, and chances are you won’t know exactly what each recipient really wants.
Groupon’s Reward Program (Appropriately Named ‘Groupon Rewards’) Rolls Out Nationally
Consumers love daily deals for the discounts on restaurants, spas, and other products and services. Merchants, on the other hand, use daily deals in order to draw in new customers—people that the business hopes will turn into …
Hot Fast Food Deals: 50% Off Drink Specials, Loyalty Program Freebies, Limited-Time Menu Items
Major fast food and coffeehouse chains are launching special discounts and promotions aimed to keep customers streaming in during the hot days and months ahead. Who says “happy hour” has to be limited to bars and restaurants that …
The Marijuana-Themed Chain Restaurant on a Smoking-Hot Roll
A fast-food chain that’s named after a song about marijuana by “Wild Thing” rapper Tone Loc? That sells “blunt” sized sandwiches, each of them named for a different strain of ganja? And hemp brownies listed on the menu under …
