Anyone who works or has worked in the restaurant industry knows that it’s tough and that you need to be proactive on the marketing front to have a chance at success. As the New York Times reported recently, quick-service restaurants (QSR) like Popeye’s and Dairy Queen have new campaigns that may help to stem sales losses caused by an increase in gasoline prices.
If anything, I would think that this is time for this category of restaurant to shine. When the economy made a turn for the worse a few years ago, upscale restaurants saw the biggest decline, and as a result they had to make modifications, such as adding prix-fixe menus. Thus, QSRs need to continue trumpeting value …
… and health. Yep, that’s right. As reported by AdAge, QSRs are using buzzwords such as “fresh” and “natural” to appeal to the (more-)health-conscious diners. I agree with the article that trying to market to everybody could be a detriment to the restaurant chain’s core offerings. That’s why finding the right balance–though difficult–will be key.