Monday

Sign of the Times

"Typically, if you're unemployed, you're not getting up at six and not going through the drive-thru," said Jeffrey Bernstein, an analyst at Barclays Capital. "There is a direct correlation between unemployment and breakfast sales." (From QSR Web.)

Hate to say this, but marketing doesn't overcome this type of trend. You can't modify this behavior.

If your breakfast sales have been hurt, find something that is working and make it better.

Customer Service. . .Again

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -- Maya Angelou


We talk about it all the time, but based on recent experiences in restaurants I'm not sure we actually get it. An adequate experience does not equate to great customer service.

"Well bully for you. You didn't piss anyone off today."

I honestly think you'll need about 50% fewer marketing dollars if you just get that "feeling" right. I honestly know that you need about 100% more marketing dollars if you don't.

Friday

Ringling Brothers. . .a new client?

Update - Feb. 19, 2010: Apparently Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey has focused their marketing plan based on this old LSM tactic (originally posted 1/28/08). . . only they used a zebra in downtown Atlanta.

Local Store Marketing has always been part science, part P.T. Barnum. I thought it appropriate to share this analogy by an unknown author:

When a circus comes to town, and you put up a sign, that's advertising.

If you parade an elephant through town, that's promotion.

If the elephant knocks down the mayor's fence, it's publicity. If you can get the mayor to laugh about it, it's public relations.

If the town's citizens come to the circus, and you show them all of the entertaining booths, show them how much fun they will have when they spend their money at the booths, answer their questions and, ultimately, they spend a lot at the circus, that's sales.