Article

QSRs sweeten things up for Valentine's Day

The NRA predicts 70 million American diners will mark the occasion.

February 10, 2011 by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Seventy million Americans will celebrate Valentine's Day at a restaurant this year, according to the National Restaurant Association. The association's new consumer research shows that about one-third of consumers (31 percent) say they will dine out this Feb. 14.

"There is no better way to celebrate romance than to share a great meal at a restaurant – and millions of Americans will do just that this Valentine's Day," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. "When it comes to choosing a restaurant for that special meal, consumers' top three deciding factors are the familiarity of a favorite eatery (42 percent), a romantic setting (21 percent) and special menu offerings (13 percent)."

Many quick-service chains have the special menu offerings part covered.  Some of the promotions include:

Dairy Queen is offering the Blizzard Midnight Truffle throughout the month. This decadent twist on a classic includes a spoonful of rich truffle pieces blended with dark cocoa fudge and creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream.

Speaking of decadent, Krispy Kremehas launched two new, limited-time items that are sure to please chocolate lovers just in time for Valentine's Day. The Dark Chocolate Kreme doughnut features a yeast-raised doughnut with dark chocolate Kreme filling and hand-dipped in dark chocolate icing with chocolate drizzle on top.

Also, the new "decadent hot chocolate" includes European dark chocolate flavor, with a hint of vanilla. It is topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. The items are available through Feb. 14. Krispy Kreme also is offering the following LTOs for the occasion:

• The sprinkled heart doughnut is a heart-shaped treat covered with white icing and Valentine's sprinkles.
• The chocolate iced doughnut, from the original Glazed line, is dipped in chocolate icing and covered with Valentine's sprinkles.
• The chocolate iced heart with red drizzle is a heart-shaped doughnut covered in chocolate icing and decorated with a red drizzle.
• The chain is offering Valentine's cards with the purchase of a dozen doughnuts, each with a coupon for one free doughnut, a small hot chocolate or a small hot coffee.

Krispy Kreme also is offering Original Glazed heart-shaped doughnuts on Valentine's Day, only at select stores.

Baskin-Robbinshas introduced three new signature ice cream cakes to celebrate Valentine's Day:  Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cake, Sweetheart Ice Cream Cake and Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake.

Baskin-Robbins' February Flavor of the Month is Heartbreak Healer, a rich pairing of red chocolate hearts and chocolate chunks in chocolate mousse ice cream or seasonal flavors.

The Valentine's Collection of ready-made ice cream cakes come in three different varieties:

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Ice Cream Cake: Made with layers of Very Berry Strawberry and Chocolate ice cream, the 6-inch fully decorated round cake is frosted with rich chocolate-flavored whipped topping and topped with a strawberry glaze.  Serves up to 8; $19.99.
• Sweetheart Ice Cream Cake: The Sweetheart cake is dotted with mini red icing hearts, a red chocolate heart and a single red rose. Serves up to 8; $12.99.
• Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake: This fully decorated 9-inch round cake features chocolate chip ice cream over Devil's Food cake, frosted with chocolate flavored whipped topping and finished with a rich chocolate ganache glaze. Serves up to 16; $29.99.

Dunkin' Donuts introduced heart-shaped donuts for the first time in the brand's history, and also is offering a new line of yeast-raised cocoa donuts.

Now through the end of February, Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide will offer several varieties of the new cocoa donuts at the suggested retail price of 89 cents each, including:

• Cocoa Confetti, a chocolate yeast ring, topped with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles
• Reverse Boston Kreme, a chocolate yeast shell filled with chocolate Bavarian Kreme and topped with vanilla icing
• Cocoa Kreme Puff, a sugared chocolate yeast shell filled with vanilla butter cream

Also, throughout the month of February, Dunkin' Donuts and American Express have introduced the new "SweetLife Sweepstakes." Through Feb. 28, every time Dunkin' Donuts guests use their American Express Card at a participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurant they will be automatically entered for a chance to win an array of prizes, including a VIP Trip for four to Universal Orlando Resort, tickets for admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, a full year of Air Travel on JetBlue, free Dunkin' Donuts coffee for one year, or free Dunkin' Donuts Cards.

Great American Cookies has launched its new heart-shaped cookie cakes. Also, for a limited time, windowed gift boxes are available for customers to view their one-of-a-kind creations before indulging.

These last-minute gift ideas are baked daily in-store, include a personalized message and can be ready in 15 minutes or less upon request.

Cold Stone Creameryis offering chocolate-dipped strawberry as the flavor of the month, back by popular demand from Valentine’s Day 2010. The company has also rolled out a line of plated desserts, perfect for sharing with a loved one, including:

• Brownie A La Cold Stone: Warm chocolate brownies smothered with French Vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped topping, caramel, hot fudge and pecans.
• Churro Caramel Crave: Crispy churros rolled in cinnamon and sugar, smothered with French Vanilla ice cream and topped with caramel and whipped topping.
• Chocolate Lava Meltdown: Warm chocolate cake filled with hot fudge, then topped with French Vanilla ice cream, fudge, whipped topping and shaved chocolate.
• No Fair Funnel Cake: Freshly baked, sweet funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar, surrounded by strawberries and topped with French Vanilla ice cream, strawberry puree and whipped topping.

Maggie Moo's is really taking things to heart this Valentine's Day; donating $1 from every Dream Cake sold on Feb. 14 to heart disease research.

From now through Feb. 14, Auntie Anne'sis showing the love by offering a free pretzel, with the purchase of any pretzel item, via its Facebook page.

Burgerville is breaking out the romance Feb. 14 with a buy-one-get-one-free milkshake or smoothie.

Those born without a sweet tooth can celebrate Cupid's crusade at White Castle. For the 21st year, the chain is accepting reservations for the big day, offering a candlelit dinner, special menus, tableside service and themed decorations.

Additionally, through Feb. 14, the company is offering its "Sweetheart Meal Deal," an online Facebook coupon.

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