Consumer Marketing News, Views, and Reviews: September 28, 2021

After a tough year-and-a-half, life with Covid was starting to look better this summer (or at least less bad). Then came the delta variant surge and daily life reversed course. Yet, even as consumers returned to shopping in person, eating out again at restaurants, and releasing all that pent-up demand, resistance to going out remained among many, worsened by the unvaccinated and regional outbreaks of the pandemic. Despite all this, marketers must market and winners will adapt! So here’s what’s trending in franchise consumer marketing and related news as of late September 2021.

MARKETING/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

2021 Holiday Persona Guide for Brand Marketers

Brand Relevance: The Role of “Brand” in Guiding Shoppers’ Choices

Beyond Influencers: How To Maximize Your Reach and Brand Loyalty

Why Your Customers’ Emotions, Feelings, & Attitudes Could Be More Valuable Than Your Big Data

How QSR Loyalty Programs Stack Up in 2021

Survey: Shoppers Still Headed to Stores – But Are Taking Precautions

Buy Now, Pay Later Consumer Financing Grows Among Younger Buyers

Growing Appetite for Ghost Kitchens Will Influence Restaurant Customer Experience

Build a Winning CMO–CFO Relationship with Better Marketing Data

OOH Ad Spending Fell in the US, but Consumer Time Spent on It Grew

Study Indicates Ads Placed in News Media – Especially Print – Outperform Social

REOPENING & RECOVERY

6 Ways Businesses Can Turn Covid-19 Uncertainty to Their Advantage

Warning of a New Crisis, Restaurant Industry Presses Congress Again for More Aid 

The Next Frontier for Restaurants’ Off-Premises Growth

Get Shots or Get Out, U.S. Employers Tell Workers

HIRING & EMPLOYMENT

Fast Food Customers Return But Workers Don’t, Triggering Major Changes

Restaurant Workers of the Future Need Heightened Digital & People Skills

How To Bring in Staff During the Worst Labor Shortage in 30 Years

What Can Companies Do To Retain Staff?

4 Reasons Workers Are Staying Away from Restaurants & What To Do About It

COMPANY NEWS

All-Drive-Thru Brand Dutch Bros Coffee Launches IPO

Home Franchise Concepts Acquires Two Maids & A Mop 

Sweetgreen To Acquire Robotic Restaurant Concept Spyce

126-Unit Playa Bowls Lands Investment Funding To Fuel Growth

PrimoHoagies Signs 18 New Franchise Agreements Across 4 States

Gong Cha To Debut in Chicagoland with First 5 Corporate-Owned U.S. Stores 

Bashas’ Diné Markets To Add Starbucks to Navajo Nation Stores

OPERATIONS

Are Virtual Restaurant Brands the New Frontier for Franchising? 

What Is the Future of Restaurant Delivery?

TECHNOLOGY

Apple iOS 15 Has Marketers Poised for Hardship

A Look at the Future of Restaurant Technology 

FRANCHISING CARES

Darden Donates Refrigerated Trucks to 10 Food Banks in  6 States

LEADERSHIP

DEI in the C-Suite: Passing the “Vulnerability Test”

PEOPLE & MILESTONES

McDonald’s Taps New Global, U.S. CMOs in Executive Shuffle

Tom Curtis Promoted from COO to President of Burger King Americas 

Yum Brands Promotes Sabir Sami to KFC CEO