Bluey and friends. | Image provided by: Ludo Studio
Today's object lesson in restaurant marketing:
If you're hosting a family event themed around cartoon dogs, which are hugely popular with preschoolers and their parents, make sure they don't get stuck in a kennel.
The Las Vegas branch of Los Angeles-based hot dog chain Dirt Dog promoted a free Bluey Day. On his Facebook page, he said 3,000 people have signed up to participate. The event, held on Saturday, was scheduled to include Bluey Snacks, a Bluey Marathon, games, face painting, and most importantly, a meet-and-greet with Bluey and his friends.
Apparently, things went awry at the last part.
Local media reported that parents and children lined up outside for the event. But they were greeted by characters wearing costumes that bore little resemblance to the real thing, causing some children to cry and the restaurant to apologize.
One child said, “I was angry.'' “He looked unexpected. I could see his beard.”
The Dirt Dog's Bluey event Facebook page currently has a seemingly endless stream of complaints. Small selection:
“Bluey isn't Bluey, he's just a guy in pajamas. And they stopped face painting early.”
“When you order a Bluey event from Wish.”
“I'm about to request a one-on-one fight with the person who created this event. Real talk.”
In an apology posted on social media, Dirt Dog said they were overwhelmed by the Bluey Day attendees. He added, “We will continue to improve the event to prevent something like this from happening in the future.''
Image: Dirt Dog Instagram.
Zaxby and MrBeast partners
MrBeast, the YouTube star who became a ghost kitchen entrepreneur in the midst of the pandemic, is currently working on meal bundles with chicken chain Zaxby's.
The MrBeast box, which goes on sale Thursday for a starting price of $12.99, includes four chicken fingers, crinkle fries, cheddar bites, two slices of Texas toast, two specialty sauces and MrBeast's new Feastable Milk Chocolate bar.
Atlanta-based Zaxby's said the box is “just the beginning” of a year-long partnership with the YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson.
Although MrBeast Burger's parent company, Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC), is engaged in a long-running legal battle with Donaldson, MrBeast Burger has one physical location in American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and a digital hub. It is also attached.
Popeyes borrows marketing technique from Taylor Swift
A promotion that subtly criticizes a competitor while evoking pop culture genius? Popeyes' marketing department may have a bad relationship with Chick-fil-A.
Popeyes is kicking off its Hungry Loyalty Department promotion (an homage to Taylor Swift's new release, Tortured Poets Department) in recognition of National Customer Appreciation Day on Friday.
This promotion offers Popeyes Rewards members a free chicken sandwich (600 bonus points) with purchases of $10 or more.
In a jab at Chick-fil-A, the promotional marketing materials say “OPEN SUNDAYS” in bold letters.
Photo courtesy of Popeyes
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