Technomic Information Services
Source: e-Marketing Insights newsletter
Writer: Lauren Edwards

1. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Caribou Coffee)
Caribou Coffee promoted the arrival of four new Tea Latte Fusions flavors: Caramel Earl Grey, Black Thai, Cinnamon Rooibos and Pomegranate Vanilla Oolong. The chain assured e-club members that it will still offer its Traditional Chai Latte. To celebrate the arrival of the new flavors, the chain is offering Tea Latte Fusions for $2 every Monday. (3/4/10)

2. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Denny’s)
Denny’s announced that for a limited time, participating restaurants are offering endless fries and pancakes. As part of the promotion, customers who purchase an entrée priced at $2.50 or more that comes with either pancakes or french fries will receive complimentary refills. The offer does not extend to specialty pancakes. (3/3/10)

3. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Dickey’s Barbecue Pit)
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit informed e-club subscribers about a new Pulled Pork Mondays promotion. Every Monday at participating locations, a Pulled Pork Big Barbecue Sandwich Combo meal is priced at $5. The meal includes one Pulled Pork Big Barbecue Sandwich, one side item and a large fountain drink. (3/1/10)

4. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Fazoli’s)
Fazoli’s announced that it is now offering new tastes at a smaller price—a reference to four recently added new pasta dishes priced at $3.99 each. The new pasta varieties are Linguini with Chicken & Roasted Marinara, Cheesy Baked Ziti, Baked Rigatoni Rosa and Penne Rosa with Italian Sausage. (3/3/10)

5. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Green Mill Restaurant and Bar)
Green Mill Restaurant and Bar publicized a variety of limited-time offers in the latest issue of its enewsletter. The e-mail began by promoting a pizza offer: two large two-topping pizzas for $20. The offer applies to takeout or delivery orders placed through April 30. The chain also used the e-mail as an opportunity to announce that starting March 12, its restaurants plan to offer nightly St. Patrick’s Dayinspired specials. Then, on March 17, most restaurants plan to host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring drink specials, including green beer and Jell-O shots and a Lucky Leprechaun Costume Contest. (3/3/10)

6. Noteworthy (Joe’s Crab Shack)
Joe’s Crab Shack marketed its line of Steampots as “smoking HOT.” The chain spotlighted three of its Steampots varieties: The Ragin’ Cajun, The Low Country Boil and The Samuel Adams Steampot. Joe’s suggested that customers consider pairing their Steampot with a mug of cold beer such as Bud Light or Landshark Lager. (3/2/10)

7. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (McAlister’s Deli)
McAlister’s Deli suggested that customers “join the fiesta,” a reference to two previously offered menu items that have been brought back for a limited time: the Fiesta Chicken Wrap and Fiesta Chicken Salad. Both items feature black beans, corn, fire-roasted red peppers, marinated chicken strips, Cheddar-Jack cheese and a proprietary Spicy Fiesta dressing. (3/2/10)

8. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (McGrath’s Fish House)
McGrath’s Fish House advertised its Shrimp Spectacular event, a limited-time promotion that the chain told e-club members was designed “for the shrimp lover in you.” The promotion features six shrimp dinners starting at $9.99, seven shrimp lunches starting at $5.99 each and shrimp appetizers starting at $3.99 each. Examples of menu offerings include dinners such as Sautéed Louisiana BBQ Shrimp for $10.99 and Black Tiger Prawn Pasta for $9.99, and lunches such as Po’ Boy Shrimp Sliders for $5.99 and Buffalo Shrimp Wrap & Chowder for $6.99. (3/2/10)

9. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Mr. Hero [Emerging Chain])
©Technomic, Inc., 2008, ENTER REPORT TITLE; CHANGE BORDER COLOR ABOVE Mr. Hero invited customers to try its new Romanburger Jr., promoting the signature sandwich with the tagline, “Nothing junior about the taste.” The chain is offering the Romanburger Jr. Combo meal, featuring the smaller-sized sandwich, waffle fries and fountain drink, for $4. No coupon is required to take advantage of the offer. (3/2/10)

10. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Not Your Average Joe’s)
Not Your Average Joe’s released the March issue of its e-newsletter, which promoted a handful of monthly chef’s specials. Featured dishes include Korean BBQ Chicken Tacos, Paella d’Espana, Vietnamese Cha Ca La Salmon, Yankee Pot Roast, French Steak Frites and Italian Tiramisu. The chain also used the e-mail as an opportunity to promote the fact that every Tuesday evening in March, its restaurants will be offering complimentary tableside tastes of menu offerings from the Joe Goes Global menu. (3/1/10)

11. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Penn Station East Coast Subs)
Penn Station East Coast Subs marketed its monthly menu special for March with the tagline, “Meat here for lunch and dinner.” Throughout March, the chain is offering its “legendary” Philly Cheesesteak sandwich in a featured combo meal. The sandwich features USDA Choice steak, slices of provolone, sautéed onions and mushrooms. As always, no coupon is required to take advantage of Penn Station’s monthly special, but prices and participation do vary. (3/3/10)

12. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Pizza Joe’s [Emerging Chain])
Pizza Joe’s circulated an e-mail promoting its “crazy low deals” throughout March and April, which are part of its Wacky Wednesday promotion. Every Wednesday in March the chain is offering chicken subs for $3 and any six-cut specialty pizza for $6. Next month, the chain plans to offer any Stromboli for $5 and eight-cut chicken pizzas for $9. (3/2/10)

13. Announcements & e-Newsletters (Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill)
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill announced that kids now eat free at its restaurants every Monday from 5–7 p.m. With the purchase of every adult entrée, one kids’ meal from the kids’ menu is free. No coupon is required to take advantage of the offer. In a subsequent e-mail, the chain promoted five limited-time featured entrées: Bones Black & Bleu Steak, Bones Blackened Grouper, Crispy Shrimp Dunkers, Smokin’ Half Chicken and Grilled & Glazed Teriyaki Salmon. (3/1/10 & 3/3/10)

14. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Texas Steakhouse & Saloon)
Texas Steakhouse & Saloon rhetorically asked customers, “What’s better than a hand-cut rib-eye? How about two?” The chain was referencing a limited-time promotion wherein customers can choose between one 9-ounce USDA Choice hand-cut rib-eye with a choice of side for $9.99, and two of the same rib-eyes with a choice of two sides for $16.99. (3/1/10)

15. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) / Seasonal Offers (Waffle House)
Waffle House announced via e-mail that participating restaurants are offering 15 meals for $5 each for a limited time. The meals span the breakfast and lunch/dinner dayparts and include selections such as Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and hash browns with two toppings; three biscuits and sausage gravy; Bert’s Chili and grilled cheese; and Bacon Lover’s BLT and hash browns. All 15 meals are available 24 hours a day. (3/1/10)