Kids Like to Go Out to Eat ask Chuck E. Cheese

 

Don’t want to cook, don’t want to do dishes, well according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® your kids don’t want you hear you complain about cooking dinner either.

Chuck E. Cheese has a new program for that has a great chance to make the entire family happy according to Johnson.  It is a three-tiered program (subscription) that starts at $7.99 a month and offers families a weekly ration of gaming tokens and tickets, plus discounts on food.  What’s not to like?

So, Chuck E. Cheese is testing a membership program that gives users a fresh supply of gaming tokens and prize tickets every week, plus discounts on food and drinks. This three-tiered program starts at $7.99 a month and entitles every kid in a family to their own membership card. It's currently available at 13 locations in California. 

It’s 2024 and kids enjoy going out to eat:

1.       A change of scenery and routine: Eating out breaks up the monotony of the usual home dinner routine. It offers a new environment to explore, which can be especially exciting for younger children.

2.       Novelty and variety: Restaurants offer a wider variety of food options compared to what is typically available at home. This can be particularly appealing to kids who are curious about trying new things or who are picky eaters and might be more open to trying unfamiliar dishes at a restaurant.

3.       A treat and a celebration: Eating out is often seen as a special occasion or a treat, making it more exciting than the usual meals at home. This can be especially true if the restaurant visit is tied to a celebration, such as a birthday or a good report card.

4.       Social interaction and family time: Eating out can provide an opportunity for quality family time and conversation, free from distractions like television or chores. Additionally, some restaurants have play areas or other features that cater to children, which can provide entertainment and interaction with other kids.

5.       Sense of independence: For older children, eating out can offer a sense of independence, as they get to make their own choices from the menu and experience a bit more freedom in the restaurant setting.

Now back to the new membership program; perks in the $7.99 Bronze tier include 70 game play points and 200 e-tickets per week, plus 20% off food and games. The $11.99 Silver tier unlocks 115 points, 300 tickets and a 30% discount, while the $29.99 Gold tier gives 300 points, 1,000 tickets and 50% off food and games. All tiers include special "bonus rewards" throughout the year.

Most of the chain’s games cost 1 point to play. E-tickets can be won from games and exchanged for prizes. For families willing to visit Chuck E. Cheese every week for a year, the gold tier equates to a value of more than $6,000, according to the chain.

But they should be prepared to commit: Once members sign up, they are locked into the program for 12 months. After that they can continue on a month-to-month basis or cancel. 

Note: This program is separate from Chuck E. Cheese Rewards, a more traditional loyalty program that allows guests to earn points for every dollar they spend, and the Summer Fun Pass, which offers savings for eight weeks over the summer in exchange for a one-time fee.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Dunkin's New Halloween Costumes are a Hit

Dunkin Donuts will be top of mind with customers from coast to coast this year on the streets, at the office, at schools, and at home Halloween gathering according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Once again, Dunkin’ has partnered with Spirit Halloween this month with a sweet lineup of Dunkin’-inspired Halloween costumes guaranteed to brew up attention this season that are sure to drive incremental value and new electricity into the brand.

As most of you know, Spirit Halloween, the largest Halloween specialty retailer in North America, and Dunkin’ are resurrecting last year’s sold-out duo of Dunkin’ Halloween costumes and introducing two additional licensed costumes including Adult Dunkin’ Cold Brew Costume and Child MUNCHKINS Donut Hole Treats Box Costume to help Dunkin’ diehards serve up style during any celebration.

Regular readers of this blog know that last year, Dunkin’ and Spirit Halloween debuted the brand’s first-ever official Halloween costumes inspired by Dunkin’s iconic pairing – an Adult Dunkin’ Hot Coffee and Adult Strawberry Frosted Donut costume, which sold out in just 24 hours on SpiritHalloween.com, resulting in the expansion of the menu to include beloved fan favorites.

The Adult Dunkin’ Cold Brew Costume: Serve as a stylish sip with this three-dimensional plush iced coffee cup costume filled with inspiration of Dunkin’s fan-favorite Cold Brew, proudly featuring Dunkin’s signature branded iced coffee cup design and orange straw. This larger-than-life Cold Brew costume is sure to get caffeine lovers buzzing this Halloween.

Yes, Child MUNCHKINS Donut Hole Treat Box Costume: For the sweetest costume of the year, the MUNCHKINS Donut Hole Treat Box costume features Dunkin’s signature MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treat Box, bursting with delicious donut hole treats, and is complete with a Dunkin’ hat. Available in multiple sizes to fit the little munchkin in your life.

Dunkin’ costumes at Spirit Halloween are sold individually and available in various sizes for $39.99 each at SpiritHalloween.com and Spirit Halloween stores nationwide, while supplies last. 

Kym Sarkos, Executive Vice President, Spirit Halloween, stated, “After a successful collaboration last Halloween, we wanted to go big and bold with our Dunkin’ costume lineup this year and are excited to unveil two new ways for Dunkin’ fans and families to get their fix,”… “Whether you’re planning to brew up some laughs at the party solo this year, or runnin’ with your Dunkin’ crew, there’s a costume for everyone.”

Kemma Kefalas, Brand Engagement Manager at Dunkin’, stated, “We love our fans’ commitment to showing their Dunkin’ pride every day, but it’s especially fun to see their passion come to life on Halloween. The official Dunkin’ costumes at Spirit Halloween allow our fans to take their dedication to the next level and with four costume options this year, we can’t wait to see all the ways our fans show off that they’re runnin’ on Dunkin’ this Halloween.”

The team at Foodservice Solutions® agrees that, the Dunkin’ collaboration with Spirit Halloween’s lineup of must-have costumes that will satisfy the cravings of any food fanatic this season alongside the Halloween retailer’s endless options for costumes, accessories and decorations to bring the flavor to any Halloween celebration. How are you driving new electricity into your brand?

Think brand relevance in an evolving world, that will edify your brand value with relevance and new electricity. According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”  That said, what are you waiting for?

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat with mix and matched bundled solutions.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869

Sleeping Around with Duck Donuts

 

Duck Donuts has personality.  That’s right Duck Donuts personality equates to and intimate understanding of its customers and the knowledge that their customers love their Duck Donuts.  According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® “Duck Donuts thinks their customers want to sleep with them.”

In a new marketing partnership, Duck Donuts and Sanderling Resort launch reservations for a one-of-a-kind experience that promises to make the summer travel season even sweeter: a donut-themed guest room packed with donut-themed experiences, all baked together as The Sweet Escape. Drving new electricity into Duck Donuts, this sleepover, is popping up in time to celebrate National Donut Day (June 4), The Sweet Escape will be available May 28-June 30, 2021 – because one day just isn’t long enough to honor one of America’s most popular treats.

So, Duck Donuts customers / Sanderling Resort hotel guest checking into The Sweet Escape at the AAA Four Diamond-rated, beachfront Sanderling Resort will be indulged in all things donuts. An entryway lined in donut wallpaper will lead to a spacious bedroom area decked out in donut bedding and Duck Donuts-branded pillowcases, topped off with a collection of donut throw pillows for added comfort (and the sweetest dreams).

That’s not all, Duck Donuts artwork will don the walls while donut seating and floor pillows will give an added space to lounge around. Picturesque views of the Outer Banks’ Currituck Sound will be framed by rainbow sprinkle curtains. Donut pool floats and Duck Donuts & Sanderling Resort-branded beach towels, plus a beachy welcome tote (lined with Duck Donut goodies to take home) will make this donut-themed getaway an indoor-outdoor affair.

To sweeten this up just a little, upon arrival, guests will find dozens of freshly made Duck Donuts conveniently set throughout the room for easy access (i.e. to feed those donut cravings all day and all night). An in-room coffee bar stocked with Duck Donuts coffee and donut decorating kits will also be available. Get this, for a customized sampling from Duck Donuts’ made-to-order menu of endless flavor and topping combinations, guests can schedule a donut wake-up call through a dedicated donut concierge.

The Sweet Escape experience also includes a taste of Duck Donuts history: a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the original Duck Donut stores in Duck, North Carolina, located just a few miles from Sanderling Resort.

Geoff Young, managing director at Sanderling Resort, “As the country begins to recover from an exceptionally difficult period and people begin returning to travel, our team knew we needed to make this summer extra special,”. “Part of what makes the Outer Banks such a unique destination is our local community and the experiences they create for those who visit—and that includes Duck Donuts. Sanderling is proud to be based in the hometown of the cult-favorite Duck Donuts brand and is excited to incorporate their story into ours. Our Sweet Escape program will definitely add that ‘something extra’ to make this summer a summer to remember.”

Russ DiGilio, Duck Donuts founder, stated, “We are delighted to kick off the celebration to one of our most anticipated and beloved holidays, National Donut Day, with our dreamy Sanderling Resort partnership,. “Donut lovers are in for a real treat this summer and we are thrilled to play a sweet role in helping to deliver smiles to those who are vacationing to the place where it all began for Duck Donuts, the Outer Banks.”

Yet there is more, Sanderling Resort and Duck Donuts will wrap up their Sweet Escape program with a social media giveaway set to run June 22-June 30, 2021. One winner will enjoy a four-night stay at Sanderling Resort and a tote bag with Duck Donuts perks, including coupons for free donuts, plus cups, koozies, and more. Entries will be accepted on the @duckdonuts and @sanderlingresort Instagram pages.

How is your brand building new electricity? According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new menu related products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, music, developing brands, unique urban hemp clothing, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different.  How is your brand building 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 GrocerantGuru.com 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.

Dairy Queen’s Summer of Fun

Like the heartbeat of America Dairy Queen (DQ) is nestled into the heartland of the US and the minds-eye of consumers when summer hits.  Well, this year, DQ is once again edifying its relationship with consumers with the launch of Box of Happy—a first of its kind, experience-centric subscription box filled with hands-on fun. Customers can sign up at DQBoxofHappy.com to receive three months of summer-themed kits, each bringing to life a quintessential seasonal activity with a delicious twist.

Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that success does leave clues and DQ has picked up the ‘best’ from subscription services and is edifying it’s top of mind position with families for generations with this Limited Time Offer. 

Maria Hokanson, executive vice president of Marketing at American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) stated “Although subscription boxes are hugely popular, today’s families are seeking unique experiences instead of more stuff,”  “DQ is taking a fresh approach with Box of Happy, inspiring parents and kids alike to make the most out of every moment of summer.”

DQ fans can get all three boxes—from June through August—for $45, while supplies last. A three-month subscription includes a total of $30 in DQ gift cards, so families can explore the NEW Blizzard Treat flavors with their monthly deliveries.

Hokanson continued “Families create and savor sweet memories whenever they visit a DQ store,”. “Box of Happy extends this delightful experience outside of our restaurants, bringing families together over campfires, road trips and more—experiences that shape the season just as much as enjoying soft-serve in the sunshine.”

Created in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, each month’s Box of Happy will provide families with an experience focused on a classic summer activity. How are you leveraging your partnerships for customer relevance?

June: Camp-In Box

The Camp-In Box is designed for families to explore the great outdoors in the comfort of their own living room with a box full of the happiest indoor camping gear on earth, including:

·         A built-in, faux, non-flammable campfire designed to work with a smartphone to create a warm glow and crackling sounds of a real summer bonfire.

·         A DQ Camp-In Shadow Puppet Storybook and two flashlights, to create handmade critters and imagine stories with kids, parents and friends alike.

·         A $10 DQ gift card to try the June Blizzard of the Month 

July: Water Park Box

July’s box will allow fans to turn their front yards in to a water park with a collection of fun, joy-filled water games and challenges for the entire family, including:

·         A waterproof box that opens to reveal a built-in, twisting sprinkler

·         A Splashdown activity booklet full of water-fueled outdoor games

·         A $10 DQ gift card to try the July Blizzard of the Month 

August: Road Trip Box

Near or far, the Road Trip Box aims to make fans’ journeys as happy as the destination with supplies for their next family adventure, including:

·         A built-in smartphone camcorder case to capture smiles on the go

·         An original “Memory Maker” card set with prompts of what to capture along your journey

·          A $10 DQ gift card to try the August Blizzard of the Month 

Although Box of Happy shipments are limited to the first lucky fans who can snag one of the three-month subscriptions, special elements from each kit will be available to the public during the first week of each month. For example, once the June Camp-In boxes are mailed to subscribers, the DQ Camp-In Shadow Puppet Storybook will be available for digital download at DQBoxofHappy.com.

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new menu related products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, plant based  foods,  sampling, toy’s, beer, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, Fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All food retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit www.GrocerantGuru.com , www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or call 1-253-759-7869

Facebook Restaurant Delivery Aggregation

Your mother had surgery and your dad can’t cook.  Well Facebook has the answer all you have to do is open your Facebook app and order dinner delivered from one of your local restaurants.  If success leaves clues and it does Facebook will be as successful with this incremental service and it has been with so many other according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Who did not think this would happen? Facebook dove into the crowded world of restaurant delivery, announcing in a blog post that it officially launched the ability to order food for pick-up or delivery directly from its massive platform.

Alex Himel, the vice president of local for Facebook wrote “People already go to Facebook to figure out what to eat by reading about nearby restaurants, and seeing what their friends say about them. So, we’re making it even easier”.

Facebook’s service combines well-known outlets like EatStreet, DoorDash, Delivery.com, Zuppler, Slice, ChowNow, and Olo. It also connects directly with brands such as Five Guys, Papa John’s, Wingstop, Jack in the Box, TGI Fridays, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, and Panera Bread. Users can browse restaurants nearby and link up with the appropriate delivery option.

Fresh fast convenient and all of the local restaurants that now are as close as the palm of your hand.  So next time a family member does not want to cook, let them know that Facebook is as easy as Click & Eat.  So what are you waiting for we have two videos on this blog to help you get started. 

Success does leave clues www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  is the global leader in grocerant niche business development.  We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities.  Has your company had a Grocerant ScoreCard completed a Grocerant Program Assessment, or new Grocerant niche product Ideation?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us