McDonald’s Dress for Success is Looking A Customer Ahead

Food Marketing that is successful, edifies the relationship of the brand with consumers in obvious ways adding relevance to the brands invitation according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Looking a customer ahead by extending that brands invitation is a great way to make sure that you are winning the battler for “Share of Stomach”.  Now McDonalds online shop features more than 20 items from holiday sweaters and ornaments to French fry-themed accessories all intended to keep the brand top of mind with consumers while extending its invitation to consumers.

For the first time McDonalds has created a shoppable line of apparel and accessories available year-round in the U.S. on the chain’s website. The themed merchandise features more than 20 items centering on the quick service brand’s most popular menu items: burgers and fries.

The McDonalds collection is only available on the fast food giant’s website and is not in collaboration with any outside companies, a departure from the company’s previous forays with fashion brands and retailers.

The new line of clothing ranges in price from $15-$65 and accessories range from $10-$25. Some of the items include tote bags emblazoned with French fries, burger and Happy Meal pins, hamburger notebooks, holiday sweaters, ornaments and T-shirts.

So, the merchandise features the company’s iconic bright yellow and red graphics, unmistakable for any other brand, and even feature some international phrases for worldwide McDonald’s fans. The online shop, dubbed Golden Arches Unlimited, will rotate with each season and restock throughout the year. Currently, the winter line has beanies, sweatshirts and sweaters for sale.

Foodservice Solutions® team is here to help you drive top line sales and bottom-line profits. Are you looking a customer ahead? Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.

Battle for Share of Stomach

At Carl Jr. Plant-Based Protein is Trend not Fad

Success does leave clues and customers are key to finding clues.  There is no doubt that consumers today are interested in sampling ‘Plant-Based Protein’ according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Plant-based food items has created a platform of New Electricity.

Customer migration from sampling plant-based foods is one of the undercurrents that has begun to surface in recent Grocerant ScoreCards according to Johnson. Restaurant chains suffering customer count declines might be wise to add plant-based items to their menus in order to drive incremental customer relevance according to Johnson.

Carl’s Jr. is inviting customers to just that as they are throwing a ‘plant-based party’, by offering consumers the opportunity to try the Beyond Famous Star for free on Thursday, August 15.

Here is how the offer works; In order to receive the offer, customers who say “Beyond Upgrade” with the purchase of any large drink on this day will receive a free Beyond Famous Star, at participating restaurants while supplies last.

Background: “First launched in December 2018, Carl’s Jr. and Beyond Meat partnered to be among the first to bring the world this major innovation in quick service—a protein-packed, charbroiled version of Carl’s Jr.’s legendary Famous Star burger featuring plant-based protein. To date, more than 4.4 million Beyond Famous Stars have been sold at Carl’s Jr. restaurants, making it the brand’s most successful burger launch over the past two years.” Are you creating new electricity with your menu?

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply chain 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 and beverage retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food and beverages that are portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different.  Does your retail path forward look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Why?

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.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's no Hoops just Loops

Limited Time Offers's Help in Winning the Battle for Share of Stomach

Success leaves clues and partnerships edify brand relationships better than most food retailers understand according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  The undercurrents of food industry buzz and success are grounded by the Kellogg’s partnership with Carl’s & Hardee’s restaurants.

Renewing last year’s successful Limited Time Offer (LTO)  this year Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s announced the official limited-time return of the fan-favorite Kellogg’s Froot Loops Mini Donuts starting on Monday February 25. 

Remember how things went last year.  Well, they SOLD Out.  After selling out just weeks after first launching in 2018, the Froot Loops Mini Donuts are back by popular demand. Bringing a fresh spin on a nostalgic breakfast favorite, these donuts are perfect for snack time and beyond. The popular menu item comes in the five iconic colors of your childhood: red, blue, green, purple, and yellow.

Froot Loops Mini Donuts will be available for a limited time at participating Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s locations starting at $1.99 so get in line to get yours. 

Food retailers today must understand that customer relevance is elevated when two brands build off each other complementing consumers preferences. Is your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands 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.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, free food / sampling, 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 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. 

Success does leave clues are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Hardee’s Expanded Marketing Hits Home

Success does leave clues and when it comes to chain restaurant marketing the team driving Hardee’s has picked up all the right clues according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  

When Hardee’s announced a partnership with Tipsy Elves, an original line of limited-edition ski suits, timed to the launch of the new 100 percent Angus Thickburger Melts the interactive participatory undercurrents of success were clear according to Johnson.

The  ski suits are now available for sale at tipsyelves.com/hardees, the new “Melt Wear” from Hardee’s features the hottest trend this winter—a retro ski suit design—channeling the classic one-piece snow jumper everyone remembers sporting on the slopes. The iconic Hardee’s logo adorns the new winter accessory, making anyone who wears it the talk of the mountain and should be a lot of fun.

Jenna Folk, director of brand marketing, Hardee’s  stated “Hardee’s continues to build on its burger offering with two delicious and melty 100 percent Angus Thickburger Melts, available just in time for the winter months,” … “We are further warming you up from head to toe, with our partnership with trendsetting apparel company, Tipsy Elves, to introduce ‘Melt Wear’ to snow lovers this season.”

While the partnership was inspired by Hardee’s Angus Thickburger MeltsMelts, what is driving food sales success today is retail partnerships even in the chain restaurant sector according to Johnson. 

Today, new partnerships can drive sales in foodservice today as your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands 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.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, 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 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.  Are you ready to expand your brands reach?

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Why Does Burger King continue to Follow the Leader?

Sometimes the answer to the question is right in front of you.  When asked recently ‘why does Burger King continue to follow McDonalds’ Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® stated “it’s easy and profitable”. 

Success does leave clues and those clues cannot be denied or ignored according to Johnson.  The larger question of can Burger King ever step-up and lead is another question with a simple answer according to Johnson “only when they are will to focus on the consumers need-set not Wall Streets.”

Once again following the lead of McDonald’s Burger King restaurants have now introduced “the $6 King Box. Available for a limited time only, the $6 King Box consists of a BK entrée, French fries, a soft drink and dessert. The BK King Box entrées guests can choose between are a WHOPPER sandwich, the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and 3- piece Chicken Tenders. The $6 meal also comes with a small order of fries, a small drink and two chocolate chip cookies.”

Chris Finazzo, president, North America, Burger King Corporation stated “We are excited to launch a brand-new offering that allows our guests to treat themselves with our $6 King Box,” says “The new $6 King Box features our most iconic entrees and offers our guests craveable and delicious premium options that outsize the competition.”

In fact, what Burger Kings is doing is trying to help with industry messaging moving the $5 price point to $6 according to Johnson. The price, value, service equilibrium is moving but as the economy slows it is very likely the $5 price point will continue to drive incremental customer traffic for some time according to Johnson. There are other ways to drive unit level top line sales and bottom line profits within the grocerant niche. 

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Hand Held Digital Technology to Drive Hardee’s Sales

Success does leave clues and Hardee’s is positioning for younger consumers to drive the brand forward according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Recently Hardee’s announced a new partnership with Tinder to reach younger consumers where they are—online and on their phones. Johnson continued Hand Held Food Marketing is a clear undercurrent driving brand adoption putting a new electricity in brand relevance for many younger consumers.

Today, new partnerships can drive sales in foodservice today as your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands 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.”

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, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

Until December 8, singles who “swipe right” and match with Hardee’s resident bachelor Chris P. on Tinder will be able to redeem an offer for a BOGO on Hardee’s 5-piece Chicken tender small combo to enjoy on a first date, with a friend, or all to themselves. 

The partnership is timed to cuffing season, with Hardee’s hoping to help you find the perfect match just as the temperatures drop. The “Chicken Tinder” profile, named Chris P., features photos that play off of cliche dating app profile pictures, accompanied by an interesting bio to encourage engagement with the profile.

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Carl’s Jr. is Leveraging Partnerships to Speed-Up Product Innovation

Restaurant customer acquisition cost continue to go up according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  One sure way to drive brand awareness, garner incremental customer is via new product introductions, sampling, relevant brand messaging. 

Today one of the best ways to speed-up new product introductions is partnering with a brand that has a build in base of loyal customers.  Carl’s is doing exactly that when they partnered with Kellogg’s to help reimage it breakfast line-up and create some new electricity for the Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s brands.

Carl’s Jr. believes that this strategic partnership will provide new electricity driving incremental sales. What is your new electricity that is driving top line sales and bottom line profits? 

Are your customer counts growing?  So, just what is your brands 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.”

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.

Foodservice 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.  That will require brands to embrace new fresh food partnerships more now than ever before according to Johnson.

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s with the launch of Froot Loops Mini Donuts. In partnership with Kellogg’s Froot Loops Mini Donuts are adding a fresh spin on the iconic breakfast favorite by bringing a pop of color and a hint of '90s nostalgia to consumers nationwide all while extending, edifying ,and exploring new branded messaging.

Carl’s Jr. Froot Loops Mini Donuts taste just like the cereal consumers remember from childhood and are perfect for breakfast, snack time and beyond. This new branded craveable menu item comes in the five-iconic colors of your childhood: red, blue, green, purple, and yellow.

Jeff Jenkins, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s  stated “We’re continuing to look for ways to bring innovative, delicious items to our consumers,” .. “We know today’s consumers are craving nostalgia, and Froot Loops Mini Donuts feature flavors that will bring them back to their childhood, and introduce a little extra fun at snack time.”

The two global brands are also launching #NotMilk, a playful digital campaign with an unexpected twist on the iconic dairy ads, showcasing that milk is not required for these colorful snacks. Partnering with a number of celebrities including '90s heartthrob Mario Lopez, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s are asking fans across the country to show their best #NotMilk mustache on Instagram and Twitter using the #NotMilk and #FrootLoopsMiniDonuts, for a chance to be featured on the brands’ social channels.

Froot Loops Mini Donuts are in stores now.  So, how are you creating a platform to drive down the cost of customer acquisition?  Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Carl's Jr. Branded Consumer Interactivity

Regular readers of this blog have been constantly reminded by Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® of the importance that branded food discovery, consumer interactivity that is participatory with the brand is. So when we find a great example we try to highlight it. 

Today that example is from Carl’s Jr. who is giving away fanny packs to ‘tweet decoders’. The Carl’s Jr. ‘Slider Hider’ Fanny Pack promotion is one of the best interactive promotions that we have seen this year it digital marketing and merchandise promotion will be an important part of the new electricity that drives top line sales and bottom line profits according to Johnson.  .

Here is how it works; Carl’s Jr. is challenging their Twitter followers to decode a series of tweets for the chance to win a Slider Hider fanny pack, the ultimate Sliders on the Sly swag. The Carl’s Jr. Slider Hider Fanny Pack is perfect for sneaking Sliders wherever you go.

The Sliders start at $1.25 each/ $1.75 for a double and are available at Carl’s Jr. locations now. Beginning yesterday (Friday July 27th at 2 pm (eastern), Carl’s Jr. begin blasting a series of coded tweets. There will be a total of 10 coded tweets (and 10 winners) over the course of the next two days. For each code, the first follower to quote-tweet with the decoded message will win a #SliderHider fanny pack (a fanny pack that perfectly fits Carl’s Jr.’s new Charbroiled Sliders) along with a gift card. On July 27, Carl’s Jr. will announce the winners and the decoded phrases.

When branded food marketing is combined with digital interaction, food, beverage, and logoed merchandise this will be a marked up-tick in interaction and an increase in consumer top-of-mind interaction. Success does leave clues and Carl’s Jr. has pick up all the right ones.    

Does your brand need a refresh? If your brand looks more like yesterday than today or tomorrow it just might be time that you called for outside eyes to help you drive inside results.  What is the new electricity that is driving your top line sales and bottom line profits?  Are your customer counts growing? 

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.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, urban clothing, grocerant consultants, urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing. This program has all of that.

Foodservice 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.  That will require brands to embrace new fresh food partnerships more now than ever before according to Johnson.

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

Grocerant Mix & Match Meal Components Include Beer & Wine

The line between food retail channels continues to narrow in the minds-eye of the consumer.  Consumers are the fuel driving the adoption of grocerant niche mix & match meal component bundling.  Today you can find grocerant niche fresh meal components in channels the ilk of restaurants, conveniences stores, grocery stores, drug stores, and department stores. 

According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Q4 2017 Grocerant ScoreCard report retailers offering fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meals or meal components with both Beer & Wine options drive incremental customer adoption.

Consumers care less about restaurant seeking Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared meals are interested one thing making very few stops to complete bundling the perfect family meal.  Grocery stores, convenience stores offering Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meals and meal components currently have a consumer solution advantage according to Johnson.

Restaurant Chains including companies the ilk of TGI Friday’s, Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, BJ’s Restaurants, Carl’s Jr. and Pizza Hut are doing a good job expanding beer and wine options. However they have yet to embrace the one dominate element that will power success within the restaurant space over the coming years.  Johnson calls it the new electricity that is partnerships.   

The new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing, local beers, wines, specialty foods. That will require restaurant brands to embrace new fresh food partnerships with smaller regional companies more now than ever before according to Johnson

Consider this Buffalo Wild Winds estimated its same-store sales were down 1.6% to 1.7% last year, all the while takeout sales continue to increase, representing more than 19% of the company’s sales in the third quarter ended, up from 17% a year ago. Pizza Hut might roll out beer and wine delivery nationally plugging into the new electricity the consumers need for complete grocerant meal solutions.  What should your brand be bundling for consumers?  Outside eyes can drive top line sales and bottom line profits.

Tap into the Foodservice Solutions® team for greater understanding of New Electricity or for a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869