Connamon Dials Up the Heat at the Bar
Where’s the fire? Behind the bar and in your glass. The runaway success of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Canada’s hottest spirits export, is prompting on-premise operators and competing adult beverage suppliers to try to capitalize on consumer interest in red-hot cinnamon flavor profiles. Over the summer, Beam Suntory rolled out Jim Beam Kentucky Fire, which features classic Jim Beam Bourbon infused with cinnamon liqueur flavor. Kentucky Fire joins Jim Beam Honey (introduced in 2012) and Jim Beam Maple (introduced in 2013) in Beam’s flavored-whiskey portfolio. MORE>>
Saké Thriving On Growth In Asian Accounts, Influx Of New Consumers
As U.S. consumers broaden their drinking repertoires and explore more sophisticated taste profiles, saké producers have seen their opportunities multiply. Marketers of top saké brands say the category is now making inroads into the mainstream, while also benefiting from marked expansion in its core Asian restaurant account base. Shipments of imported saké to the U.S. rose 13% in 2013 to 516,000 nine-liter cases, while depletions of domestically produced sakés advanced by 1% to 1.7 million cases. MORE>>
Outback leverages ‘Throwback Thursday’ for ‘Date Night’ promotion
Outback Steakhouse debuted a new “Date Night” promotion on Thursday that leveraged the popularity of “Throwback Thursday” to boost the social media traction of its marketing campaign. Outback, the 977-unit chain owned by Tampa, Fla.-based Bloomin’ Brands Inc., layered social media support on its offer of a Date Night meal of two sirloins, two sides, two salads and a shared Bloomin’ Onion and cheesecake for $38. The chain is offering the menu deal Thursdays to Sundays through Nov. 16. MORE>>
What Millennials Want
According to a new study, Millennials have high standards when it comes to restaurant brands’ online presence. And if they don’t get the information they want, they take their business elsewhere. A survey by local search and digital marketing firm Placeable found that 68 percent of Millennials (ages 18 to 29 in the study) say they are likely to visit a different concept if a restaurant website they are searching does not contain information such as address, phone number, reviews, menu, and photos. MORE>>
Restaurant Marketing Ideas for November
Restaurant owners and operators have a lot to be thankful for with a bountiful feast of marketing ideas in November. For food related marketing, restaurants can explore traditional and contemporary recipes for Banana Pudding Lovers Month, Georgia Pecan Month, Peanut Butter Lovers Month and Vegan Month. The month also provides opportunities to help children nationwide, and to show appreciation for veterans and active duty military. MORE>>
Burger 21 Seeks Additional Franchisees for Greater Washington D.C. Expansion
Burger 21, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. franchise company based in Tampa, Fla., announced today it is targeting the Greater Washington D.C. area for future franchise development. Target cities include Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and Rockville, Md.; Alexandria, Arlington, Manassas and Gainesville, Va.; and downtown D.C. MORE>>
Mamma Chia heads to the bar, PepsiCo keeps it real with craft soda, and pumpkin spice fever spreads
As Halloween approaches, pumpkin spice mania has gripped the nation, but there’s plenty of other interesting stuff hitting shelves this fall, from Pepsi’s Caleb's Kola to chia vitality bars from Mamma Chia, and new coconut water & juice blends from ZICO. MORE>>
New limited-edition Guinness ale Combines Beer and Whiskey Malt
Guinness & Co., a part of London-based Diageo, introduced its newest innovation: Guinness The 1759. The limited-edition, ultra-premium amber ale is brewed with both traditional beer malt and the same peated whisky malt used in fine Scotch and Irish whiskies. Inspired by a 200-year-old recipe and brewed with the same Guinness yeast that has been used for more than 125 years, Guinness The 1759 brings new style and flavor to the Guinness trademark, the company says. MORE>>
Dr Pepper Snapple Group targets sparkling water growth with Peñafiel ramp-up
Dr Pepper Snapple Group's CEO has said that growing sparkling water trends are “here to stay” as the company expands Mexican brand Peñafiel in the US. On a call with analysts yesterday, Larry Young denied that increased demand for Peñafiel, Scweppes and Canada Dry was a “fad”, and announced new investment in sparkling water for this year and next. He also said Peñafiel was being brought in from Mexico for Hispanic consumers in the US. MORE>>
The Real McCoy Breaks into NYC Market
The Real McCoy Rum reaches a significant milestone this month with its introduction into the major spirits market of metro New York. A super-premium trio of aged rums, The Real McCoy will target both on- and off-premise accounts throughout the Big Apple. The Real McCoy’s expansion into greater New York comes after the brand's success in its six current markets, which includes upstate New York. As The Real McCoy expands statewide, the country’s largest distributor, Southern Wine & Spirits, will now spearhead distribution throughout the state. MORE>>