Article

QSRs step up promotions for the holidays

Gift cards are predicted to be popular this year.

December 8, 2011 by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

The National Retail Foundation has predicted a gift card boon this holiday season, and additional research from the GiftCardGranny shows a big demand for food and drink.

Included in the 20 most requested gift cards in the latter study were McDonald's, Subway and Starbucks, as well as Trader Joes, Olive Garden, Kroger and Costco.

Some QSRs have responded to the demand with specific holiday promotions, including Del Taco, which is leveraging its new online retail site to offer personalized gift cards. Customers can express themselves with up to 250 characters, and have their gift delivered to the recipient's mailbox for no additional charge.

Additionally, qualifying gift card purchases are paired with a variety of free food incentives, which are delivered in the form of special coupons valid on a future visit. For example, someone who purchases a $15 gift card will receive two free chicken soft tacos.

Del Taco is debuting three new gift card designs with two available exclusively online. Other available card designs include red and white Christmas stockings filled with Del Taco food items, and seasonal images of snowflakes forming the shape of Del Taco's logo.

"We always look for new and innovative ways to add value and fun to our customers' experience. This year our in-restaurant and online gift card promotions work together to help stretch our customers' holiday budgets," said John Cappasola, chief brand officer at Del Taco.

Dunkin' Brand's Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins also offer customized gift cards, which were launched this summer.

They can be personalized online with a favorite photo or a customized message and are accompanied by a designed greeting of choice. The cards also offer seasonal designs such as a snowman, holiday bow and sprinkles snowflake.

Other deals to help out with tight holiday budgets include:

• Subway is offering 6-inch Cold Cut Combos and Meatball Marinara subs for $2 throughout December, as part of its "Customer Appreciation Month."
• McDonald's and Living Social's have teamed up to offer a $13 voucher booklet, redeemable for five individual Big Mac sandwiches and five individual large fries. The deal is good for Living Social members only, and is expected to be the company's largest national QSR daily deal ever.
• Today, Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, Burger Kingis offering a buy-one Whopper get one Whopper free deal. Alex Macedo, senior vice president, North American marketing, Burger King Corp., said the offer allows the company to give back to its loyal Whopper lovers and show its appreciation.
• Taco Bell's gift card promotion includes a free chicken flatbread combo with a $20 gift card purchase at participating restaurants. $10 Gift Cards are also available and no expiration or fees apply to the gift cards. The offer is valid through Dec. 27.
• Through Dec. 13, Arby's is offering its Facebook fans a coupon for a free small drink and small curly fries with the purchase of a 3-piece prime-cut chicken tenders.
• KFC Canada's holiday meal deal includes a $5 gift voucher that can be used in January for anyone who purchases a 3-Piece "Festive Meal for One" through Dec. 31.

Holiday LTOs

In addition to offering various incentives, QSRs also are rolling out seasonal offerings to woo their guests. (Check some of them out here). Some holiday-themed standouts include:

Yogurt Mountainhas debuted four seasonally inspired frozen yogurt flavors: Eggnog, Candy Cane, Chocolate Mint and Gingerbread Cookie. Yogurt Mountain also introduced 10 festive toppings, including Crushed Peppermint; Gummi Snowmen and Trees; Holiday Peeps in Snowmen, Stars and Trees; Jelly Wreaths; Mello Cream Holiday Mix; Mini Candy Chocolate Balls; Red & Green Sprinkles; Sour Jelly Stars; and Yogurt Covered Pretzels.

Dunkin' Donuts has added the new Mint Hot Chocolate, a permanent addition to the brand's beverage lineup, and the new Warm Cinnamon Swirl Muffin. The chain also has seasonal donuts, including the Sprinkle the Cheer Donut, a yeast ring donut with red icing and holly berry sprinkle mix, and the Holiday Star Donut, a star-shaped donut with vanilla icing, filled with Bavarian Kreme, and topped with a silver sprinkle mix.

Dairy Queen's Candy Cane Chill Blizzard boasts vanilla soft serve with chunks of chocolate and candy pieces mixed in. The flavor also comes in cake form.

Chick-fil-Ahas brought back its Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake for the season.

Tim Hortons' hot chocolate holiday flavors include Candy Cane and Gingerbread. Additionally, the chain is featuring a Candy Cane Chocolate Donut: A chocolate cake ring decorated in vanilla fondant and topped with candy cane sprinkles; Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate: mint-flavored hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and candy cane sprinkles; and a Gingerbread Donut and Timbits.

Burger King UK has added the Cranberry Chicken Tendercrisp for the holiday season, featuring 100 percent chicken breast, topped with tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and cranberry sauce.

McDonald's McCafe has added Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint Hot Chocolate LTOs. The drinks are the brand's first specialty seasonal beverages on the McCafe menu. They are available through Jan. 2.

TCBYhas rolled out Eggnog flavor, and is also featuring a Gingerbread LTO for the season.

Jack in the Boxhas introduced an eggnog flavored shake, available through the end of the year, along with the pumpkin pie shake.

Baskin-Robbinshas numerous cakes available specifically for the holiday season, including Happy Hanukkah, Chanukah Menorah, Candy Lane Cottage, Holiday Gift and Evergreen Christmas Wreath.

Cold Stone Creameryhas dropped its Caramel Turtle Treat Ice Cream Pie price to $12.99 for the holidays. The pie combines Sweet Cream ice cream with pecans, caramel and fudge in a graham cracker pie crust, all covered in fluffy white frosting.

Krispy Kremehas rolled out three seasonal doughnuts, including the classic snowman, chocolate iced with holiday sprinkles and the new Red Velvet Cake. They are available in Canada and the U.S. through Dec. 31.

As part of its "12 Days of Yuletide Yumminess" promotion, which runs through Dec. 12, Yogurtland is spotlighting seasonal flavors such as eggnog, chocolate mint cookie, raspberry pomegranate tart, as well as new peanut brittle and Dulce de Leche.

Read more about promotions.

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