Consumer Marketing News, Views, and Reviews: July 27, 2021

Life under Covid was looking better after a tough year-and-a-half. Yet, even as consumers return to shopping in person, eating out again at restaurants, and releasing all that pent-up demand, is there another surge waiting around the corner – from the combination of the Delta variant, the unvaccinated, states and cities reopening for business? Worries aside, marketers must market (and adapt!). And we all must carry on, regardless. So here’s what’s trending in franchise consumer marketing and related news as of late July 2021.

Survey: Customers Are Expected To Increase Spending as Vaccinations Increase

Study: Casual Dining Traffic Is Nearly Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Customers Return to Restaurants – Cautiously and with Bad Attitudes

Pandemic Hangover: Consumers Are Wary as They Resume Purchasing

Why OOH Is Essential for Ad Strategies in 2021 as Brands Recover from the Pandemic

Forrester: QSRs Turn to Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising Post-Covid

What Is Particular About Digital Marketing?

The Evolution of Social Advertising in 2020 (Ebook)

Data Use by Brands Is Misunderstood – It’s Time for Brands to Speak Out

As Marketers Line up for NCAA Athlete Deals, Pitfalls Await

Some Chief Experience Officers Want To Make Their Jobs Disappear

Ruby Tuesday Tries a Virtual Concept (Libby’s BBQ) as a Dine-In Draw

Papa John’s Loyalty Program Reaches 20 Million

McDonald’s Introduces Customer Loyalty Program

Popeyes Launches 1st Loyalty Program

Smartphones, Contactless Service Drive Coffee Shops’ Post-Covid Evolution

Dickey’s & Combo Kitchen To Open at Least 100 Ghost Kitchens in the Next Year

El Pollo Loco Is Testing Drone Delivery with “Air Loco”

Jack in the Box Reveals the Look of Its Off-Premises-Only Prototype

Krystal Unveils New Restaurant Prototype in Its Hometown Atlanta