Marketing

Market research by emoji

Facebook’s addition of multiple “reaction” emojis has expanded the ways consumers can respond to content across the site. The feature hasn’t gone unnoticed: Operators are using the pint-sized images to garner instant feedback from consumers.

TGI Fridays hosted its own version of March Madness this spring with its Endless Eight tournament. Over the course of a month, pairs of the chain’s Endless Apps menu items went toe to toe in individual brackets. Users were able to vote for their favorite using the “like” and “love” emojis. Instead of reacting to a photo, they made their choice through a Facebook live video, allowing the social media team to gain immediate insight into which appetizers are striking a chord with consumers and respond in real time to comments, which included opinions of
the new menu additions. 

To highlight the customizability of its steampot menu item, Joe’s Crab Shack in June let users create their own steampot on Facebook by selecting emojis that corresponded to different ingredient add-ins.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Food

CAVA and Chili’s throw parties for influencers as they roll out new items

Recent menu launches by Chili's and CAVA came with swanky parties for New York City influencers

Financing

The problem with franchising

The Bottom Line: This week’s edition of the restaurant finance newsletter looks at the pressure on new chains to get franchisees quickly, which can lead to serious mistakes.

Financing

Restaurants are worried about the Sysco-Restaurant Depot deal. Should they be?

Independent operators were shaken when the broadline distributor announced a $29 billion acquisition of the cash-and-carry operation. But some say the deal could have some real benefits.

Trending

More from our partners