Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Not Down Not Out

The restaurant industry is not brain surgery, it is however filled with consumers that are dynamic not static, and investors that more often than not are impatient, ill informed, inflexible according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Once again, the C-suite at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has been revolving as regular readers know.  There is little doubt in the minds-eye of Johnson that Red Robin is one of the few chain restaurants that has been doing many things right.  Here is one additional example. Red Robin has been quietly testing the sale of pizzas from Donatos Pizza in selected units as a way of bolstering off-premise sales.

The pies are also available for dine-in service, adding another family favorite to Red Robin’s burgers-heavy menu. Mix and match meal bundling is a hallmark attribute drive growth within the grocerant niche both Donatos Pizza and Red Robin understand that according to Johnson. 

Once again there is no blurring of brands in the minds-eye of the consumers only in the minds-eye of dinosaur brand food marketers who believe in brand protectionism over customer relevance.  Most want their stores/outlets to look more like 1990 than today.  Johnson says they are comfortable doing with they have always done and want to continue to do it the same way.  They seem to forget that consumer is dynamic not static. 

Consider that at Donato’s, a collaboration could be a way of expanding its geographic range without building restaurants. The 170-unit chain operates in nine states, with a concentration in the Midwest. Red Robin, with about 572 stores, is a national brand. See how easy success could be if your look outside your box.

Consider that Red Robin offers delivery through arrangements with third-party services and has experimented with self-delivery in a handful of stores it makes a lot of sense leveraging Donato’s expert knowledge in delivery.  Now, is any of this brain surgery? NO   Is your brand looking for some new electricity?

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success.