Walmart’s Family Film Fun: A Drive-In Movie

Ok, I know that back in the day going to the drive-in movies was all the rage during the summer.  Even I went and I have to admit it was more fun and a better experience that I had ever believed it would be.  Well Walmart is extending its brand invitation to include a drive-in move.   

With many summer camps closed, sports on hold, this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Walmart has announced two new experiences to help bring families together for traditional fun in nontraditional ways.

So, get this first, Camp by Walmart, is a free star-studded virtual camp that brings summer activities directly to customers’ own backyards, and the second, in partnership with Tribeca Enterprises, is a touring drive-in movie theater that will transform Walmart parking lots into outdoor cinemas.

Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart  stated “Summer hasn’t really felt like summer yet, and I know I hear every day, ‘Mom, I’m bored!’” … “Through our digital means and vast footprint of stores, we’re hoping to bring some summer fun to families across the country. We know Walmart plays a role in our communities that extends far beyond getting them necessary supplies, and we see that now more than ever.”

Walmart is teaming up with celebrities Drew Barrymore, Neil Patrick Harris, LeBron James, Idina Menzel and Todd Oldham to create a new summer camp experience designed for the internet. Camp by Walmart is being produced and developed in partnership with CAMP, a Family Experience Company, and powered by the interactive video platform eko. Each of the celebrities is stepping outside of their day job to serve as camp counselors, leading kids through sessions varying from arts and crafts to fitness and other activities to keep them active and entertained.

Each day of Camp by Walmart will kick off with Head Camp Counselor, actor Neil Patrick Harris, who sends families through one of 14 camp challenges, from “Neil’s Charades” to musical Mad Libs. Now that is interactive and participatory brand marketing, that is good for everyone according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, families can now access 50 Camp by Walmart activities for free by visiting the Walmart app. Celebrity- and expert-led camp sessions will roll out across the summer, including:

• “The Great Family Challenge,” which features various family-bonding activities, including actress Drew Barrymore taking campers through a makeup tutorial and basketball star LeBron James leading participants through mental and physical activities with help from his I PROMISE School educators;

• A morning kickoff with Head Camp Counselor, actor Neil Patrick Harris, who sends families through one of 14 camp challenges, from “Neil’s Charades” to musical Mad Libs;

• “Skills Camp” is a talent show that features experts teaching new skills, like singer and actress Idina Menzel, who showcases her singing skills to campers; and

• Designer Todd Oldham reimagines “Smarts and Crafts,” which teaches campers about creativity through the lens of arts, crafts and fashion

Camp by Walmart will offer 200 more new activities throughout the summer to keep families everywhere entertained.

eko technology allows campers to make choices along the way that shape the outcome of their experience, creating increased interactions that reflect campers’ interest.

To access Camp by Walmart, customers can download the Walmart app, or update their existing Walmart app, and look for Camp by Walmart in the app’s Services tab from the bottom navigation.

Now let’s talk about the drive-in; so working with Tribeca Enterprises for two drive-in experiences, Walmart is transforming 160 of its store parking lots into contact-free drive-in movie theaters where customers can safely gather to watch movies programmed by the Tribeca Drive-in team. Come on is that cool or what?

So, in August, Walmart will roll out drive-in movies in towns across the country for a combined 320 showings. This family-friendly night will include hit movies, special appearances from filmmakers and celebrities and concessions delivered right to customer vehicles.

Walmart’s drive-in tour will run through October. Additional details will be announced closer to the start of the tour.  Ahead of each screening, Walmart will make it easy for families to fill their picnic baskets by ordering their drive-in essentials online for curbside pickup on the way to their movie. For families itching for the big screen now, Walmart is also partnering with the Tribeca Drive-in to serve as a presenting partner for its Tribeca Drive-In movie series, which began, July 2.

Jane Rosenthal, CEO and co-founder of Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival  stated , "Drive-Ins have been a signature program for Tribeca since we started the Tribeca Film Festival 19 years ago after 9/11,” … "But now, the Tribeca Drive-In is much more than a fun, retro way to see movies — it’s one of the safest ways for communities to gather. We are thrilled to partner with Walmart to bring more people together around the shared cinematic experiences that Tribeca is known for."

Throughout July, families in Arlington, Texas; Pasadena, Calif.; Nassau County, N.Y.; and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, N.Y., will be treated to Tribeca Drive-In screenings of modern classics and family favorites, like Wonder Woman and Space Jam, with a mix of ticketed and free events honoring frontline workers. The full schedule and tickets can be found at TribecaFilm.com.

Success does leave clues. One clue that time and time again continues to resurface is “the consumer is dynamic not static”.  Regular readers of this blog know that is the common refrain of Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Our Grocerant Guru® can help your company 253-759-7869. 

Tops Friendly Markets Finds Success with Chef’d Meal Kit’s

Grocery stores must continue to evolve with consumers or risk capitulating more and more customers as they migrate to new avenues of fresh food distribution according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

After a successful debut of Chef’d meal kits late last fall, Tops Friendly Markets has expanded the line, which is now available in more than 80 stores. Customer relevance is equals new electricity for Tops Markets team. 

Johnson believes there is one dominate element that will power success within retail foodservice over the coming years.  Johnson calls it the new electricity that is partnerships specifically strategic partnerships.   The partnership with Chef’d is clearly the new electricity for consumers.  Grocery stores

that want to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing new partnerships with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food suppliers. 

Jeff Culhane, SVP of merchandising for Williamsville, Tops Markets stated  “Chef'd answers the question for the person who says, ‘I still want to feel like I've done all the cooking myself, but I don't want to dedicate two hours to go through the whole process,’” …“They are a great option for those looking for a well-balanced meal, too,” he said, pointing to fresh ingredients and minimal preservatives, which provide “a good balance between protein, carbs, and veggies.”

In addition to Weeknight Chicken Pad Thai and Herb Crusted Flank Steaks, the latest additions to Tops’ subscription-free Chef’d meal kits include:

• 20 Clove Garlic Chicken
• Black Truffle Butter Sirloin Steak
• Smoky Maple Pork Loin
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Fried Chicken and Waffles 

This helps Chef’d grow as Tops Markets operates 169 full-service supermarkets. Where are you selling food today?  Consumers are dynamic not static is your brand evolving with consumers fast enough?  Where is your new electricity? What new avenues of distribution are you developing?

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

Tijuana Flats Edifies Brand with Meal Kit Delivery Service

Regular readers of this blog know that Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® of Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® has stated that “partnerships drove growth for restaurant brands in 2017 ti new levels and will become even more important in 2018 creating new points of distribution for less.  

Tijuana Flats has launched a new take-home burrito meal kit service.  The meal kit is easily accessible in the takeout selection that allows simple options for family dinner, and is a viable solution for smaller offices looking for a group lunch option. The “Hardly Homemade Burrito Kit” is importantly available via UberEATS and through in-store takeout.

This new meal kit may be priced a bit high according to the team at Foodservice Solutions® as it is priced at $34.99.  It must be noted that the Burrito Kit feeds up to six people and is packed full of all the Tijuana Flats essentials, including protein (chicken and beef), toppings (jalapeños, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese), choice of refried or black beans, rice, flour or wheat tortillas, and chips. The Kit also comes with instructions for “How to Roll a Fat One” via a 10-step process that includes directives, like “Add cheese (a cheesy burrito is a happy burrito)” and “Fold the sides in toward the center, making your tortilla hug those tasty insides.” 

The launch of Tijuana Flats’ Burrito Kit comes after the successful unveiling of the company’s “Hardly Homemade Taco Kit” earlier this year. Larry Ryback, CEO at Tijuana Flats stated "Debuting our ‘Hardly Homemade Taco Kit’ this summer opened the door, and tortilla, to launch similar initiatives with other Flats fan favorites,”.. “Like the Taco Kit, our new Burrito Kit is an easy and fun solution for busy families this holiday season and beyond.“

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant