As the holidays approach, some restaurants are pulling out all the stops to attract attention, get guests talking, and stand out from the competition. Creative marketing and LTOs could be just the leg-up operators need this season to raise revenues and generate more traffic. Here are some of the ways that QSRs are stepping up their holiday game this year:
In a campaign exclusive to Canada, KFC has launched the first-ever bucket record lid of holiday classics, Kentucky Fried Carols, with finger-licking sounds included. “You’ll be surprised how soothing the sound of chicken frying is when layered into a classic Holiday carol,” says Dhaval Bhatt, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Courage Inc., who produced the Kentucky Fried Carols record for KFC Canada. From December 9 to 16, customers will get the chance to win the limited-edition holiday record lids through random draws on Instagram.
Wendy’s is bringing back its Frosty Key Tags, available online and at participating U.S. stores starting December 9. The tags allow participants to add a free Junior Frosty to any order, without any restrictions for a full year. The tags cost only $3, and 90 per cent of each tag sale will benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Merchandise is also a popular choice for operators this season, with many introducing holiday-themed, limited-edition lines. Shake Shack, newly open in Canada, is featuring holiday wear, tree ornaments, and more at its online store. Chick-fil-A has added seasonal items to its online store (available only in the U.S.) including chicken sandwich string lights, waffle fry earrings, printed wrapping paper, and an array of holiday-themed apparel. Tim Horton’s has added a festive feel to their gift lineup with matching family Timbit-printed pajamas, holiday drinkware, and seasonal puzzles, and more.
As so many restaurants compete in the seasonal LTO space, operators will need to get creative to stand out, drive traffic, and generate increased traffic throughout the holiday season.
