Contests, Personnel News Round Out 10 Most-Read QSR, Liquor Stories

2024 is unfortunately going down as yet another year many businesses would like to forget (so long, Big Lots) -- but as far as QSRs and liquor brands go, there were a few bright spots. Executive appointments, contests, and charity efforts round out the most-read QSR and liquor Marketing Daily stories of the year. Here’s a rundown.

The executive appointments were many this year, but Wendy's Appointment of Kirk Tanner as President, CEO, topped the entire list. Brought on last February, Tanner, who joined from PepsiCo where he was CEO of North American Beverages, has more than 30 years of experience in QSR and Beverages.

This year we increased coverage in the liquor category, resulting in a fun and rather formal gin promotion as the second highest read story.” 'What Is A Week End?' Visiting The 'Abbey' Where Maggie Smith Asked That Question, described a “Downton Abbey”-themed contest for gin-imbibing superfans of the hit TV show, courtesy of Highclere Castle Gin. The winners of the summer promo received a luxury vacation to Highclere Castle itself, where much of the series was filmed.

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Another contest slid into the third-most read story slot, with Burger King Launches Whopper Of A Contest To Win $1M. The burger behemoth issued a challenge to all “flame-grilled fanatics, culinary creators and A.I. aficionados: How would you top your Whopper?” Finalists were invited to Burger King headquarters in Miami to “refine” their Whoppers, which were then featured on menus and put to a customer vote.

Wendy’s returned with the fourth-most read story with Wendy's Fan Favorite Frosty Now Available As Halloween Kids' Meal Collectibles. Here the popular Frosty treat made its first appearance as a collectible figurine available in 11 different Halloween themed toys.

Whiskey is the subject of the fifth most-read story with Jameson Crosses The Pond To Sponsor U.S. Major League Soccer. Only earlier this month the Irish whiskey announced it had entered a multiyear partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) to be the organization’s official whiskey sponsor.

Number 6, Jersey Mike's Raises Record-Breaking $25 Million During 2024's Month Of Giving, is the first of two charity based stories in this year’s countdown. The chain’s yearly event collects every dollar in sales from over 2,700 Jersey Mike’s units nationwide to donate to various charities.

Chipotle also took the spotlight for its good deeds at number 7 with Chipotle Celebrates Healthcare Heroes With $1M In Free Food. In honor of National Nurses Week, the chain awarded 100,000 healthcare workers with free burrito e-cards, totaling over $1 million in food.

Applebee’s came in 8th with (no, surprisingly NOT the Dollarita) Applebee's Celebrates 'America's Favorite Boneless Wings'. Following a national, double-blind taste-test, the chain commemorated the win by offering 50 cent wings for a limited time.

Firecracker Shrimp Returns To Panda Express With Special Culinary Event, was the 9th most-read, where this year the Chinese chain brought back its spicy shrimp by catering to those customers who love the dish the most. Guests were invited to an elevated five-course meal in Los Angeles and New York, where the chain transformed two of its restaurants into reservation-only dining destinations featuring the shrimp and a family style five-course prix fixe menu.

And lastly, and perhaps most fittingly, was a  story looking towards the future with Delivery, Promotions Drive Restaurant Industry Sales Forecast Of $1.1 Trillion. Per the  National Restaurant Association 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, restaurant sales were forecasted to exceed $1.1 trillion for 2024, a new record for the industry. We shall see if the industry met that number as we enter 2025.

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