Coffee chains are celebrating National Coffee Day with new merch and free drinks, and Quiznos is leaning into nostalgia with the Spongmonkeys' latest venture.
Also this week, there’s a promotion for everyone with chains celebrating National Pizza Month and other food-centric holidays.
Here’s a look at what’s new in restaurant marketing.
National Coffee Day
Coffee chains want to make sure diners are very caffeinated in honor of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. Dunkin’, for instance, is offering a free coffee with any purchase for rewards members. And the coffee giant has teamed up with Little Words Project, a bracelet company, to launch Dunkin’ themed bracelets. The collection features pink and orange beaded bracelets with messages such as "Iced Coffee" or "Cafecito Time." The bracelets will be available beginning Sept. 29 for the price of $30.
Dutch Bros Coffee is celebrating the caffeine-centric day with a merch drop. The coffee chain is offering a limited-edition “Drink More Coffee” hat in all its locations, and customers who purchase a hat will receive a free drink of their choice. The chain also launched an online coffee quiz that attempts to guess customers' go-to coffee orders. (My go-to order is apparently the Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Cold Brew.)
Krispy Kreme is also offering free coffee, but no purchase is necessary to take advantage of the deal. In addition, the doughnut chain is offering BOGO $2 glazed doughnut dozens in honor of the day. Krispy Kreme recently upgraded its beverage lineup to feature improved beans, smoother blends and richer roasts, according to a statement.
DQ's Blizzard Beanie
Dairy Queen also recently launched some new merch, Blizzard Beanies. The hats are available in two styles and come with a matching Blizzard-size beanie. The merch follows the launch of DQ's Fall Blizzard Treat Menu, which is available for a limited time at participating locations. The ice cream chain is also holding a sweepstakes to give diners a chance to win a pair of Blizzard Beanies.
Spongmonkeys debut their first single
Quizno’s Spongmonkeys are back. And this time they’re taking on Spotify. The creatures, which Quizno’s itself describes as “slightly horrifying,” first debuted in a 2004 commercial where they sang about their love for Quizno’s subs. Now, they’re back with their first full-length single titled, “We love the Subs!!!” The song is an upbeat pop tune with a rap interlude and was created by Joel Veitch, the original creator of the Spongmonkeys. It’s not making it to my personal playlist, but to each their own.
National Pizza Month
October marks the arrival of National Pizza Month, and some chains are gearing up with deals on everybody’s favorite savory pie. California Pizza Kitchen is celebrating all month long by offering dine-in customers a free Take and Bake pizza during their next visit.
Meanwhile, Papa Murphy’s is giving 30% off any online order of regular-priced items when using the code PZMON23.
World Vegetarian Day…
It may still be National Chicken Month, but BurgerFi hasn’t forgotten about the vegetarians. In honor of this day on Oct. 1., diners can score a $3 VegeFi Burger with the purchase of a Coca-Cola Freestyle Beverage.
and National Taco Day
If tacos are more your style, don’t fret—National Taco Day is also right around the corner. On Oct. 4, Chronic Tacos is running a buy-one-get-one deal on all of its tacos. The offer is only available on the chain's mobile app. And California Tortilla is offering a free taco with any purchase from Oct. 5-11.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Some restaurant chains are honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October, by donating to nonprofits. Mellow Mushroom, for instance, is donating a portion of the proceeds from its new seasonal “Go Pink” cocktail and ribbon-shaped pretzels to Susan G. Komen, an organization leading the fight against breast cancer. In addition, the chain will donate $5 to the nonprofit for every $25 gift card purchase online.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is offering a limited-edition Pink Big Yellow Cup, a 32 oz. tribute cup created to spread awareness about breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds from each cup will be donated to The Dickey Foundation, the barbecue brand’s philanthropic arm. The foundation will use the funds to provide mammograms and other breast cancer detection treatment to first responders.
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