With back-to-school season right around the corner, some operators are launching promotions to try and attract more students and younger customers to their restaurants. Gen Z is widely identified as a crucial demographic for restaurateurs, and may recognize that capturing a younger crowd early may well boost the bottom line long term.
Here are some of the current promos targeted at students this season:
Chipotle recently announced a brand-new loyalty program geared to post-secondary students called Chipotle U Rewards. Once students create an account and verify their school enrollment, they will receive 1,000 bonus points and will earn 12 points for every $1 spent at Chipotle as members. The restaurant has also launched a collaboration with Urban Outfitters to help students outfit their dorm rooms with themed items like a burrito throw blanket, chip bag light, black bean bean bag chair, and more.
Panera is taking a slightly different approach, trying to attract Taylor Swift fans following the recent announcement of her new album dropping on October 3. The chain has launched the “Loaf Story Meal,” available exclusively on the Panera app for a limited time, as a response to Taylor Swift’s enthusiasm for sourdough bread. The promo includes a loaf of country rustic sourdough for $8.89, a sourdough bread bowl two-pack for $4.69, and a French baguette loaf for $3.99.
Jersey Mike’s also added a Taylor Swift-themed LTO, featuring a “Showgirl Special” sandwich priced at $12.12 (to honour her twelfth album). The description says, “get that fresh-sliced, provolone, pepperoni look” on a sub that “doesn’t go out of styleeee,” referring to Taylor’s hit song, “Style.”
Krispy Kreme has recently released a back-to-school collection of donuts as part of a collaboration with Harry Potter. The collection is available at select locations and features four flavours for a limited time:
- Gryffindor™ Donut: an unglazed shell donut filled with cookie butter flavored Kreme™, dipped in red icing and Biscoff® cookie crumble, topped with golden icing drizzles and the Gryffindor™ crest.
- Slytherin™ Donut: an Original Glazed® donut topped with chocolate and green buttercream flavoured swirls, chocolate cookie sugar blend, and the Slytherin™ crest.
- Hufflepuff™ Donut: an unglazed shell donut filled with brown butter toffee flavoured custard, dipped in golden yellow icing, and topped with black chocolate drizzle, cookie crunch, and the Hufflepuff™ crest.
- Ravenclaw™ Donut: an Original Glazed® donut dipped in blueberry flavored icing, topped with the Ravenclaw™ sprinkles and crest.
As school season arrives, many operators will be focused on creating LTOs that attract younger diners and their families to fill up their restaurants this fall.
Image courtesy of Jersey Mike’s Facebook page.
