AMC Theatres Expands Delivery Options with DoorDash Partnership
AMC Theatres announced a new partnership with DoorDash to deliver its dine-in menu items directly to customers’ homes. The partnership is set to expand nationwide by spring 2025. The partnership builds upon AMC’s existing food delivery arrangement with Uber Eats, extending the convenience of home delivery from 48 AMC dine-in locations to 550 locations in the United States as the Leawood, Kansas-based theater chain makes its menu accessible to a wider audience.
AMC Vice President of Food and Beverage, Mo Haq, said in a statement, “Over the last decade, AMC’s significant investment in transforming and elevating the food and drink experience has revolutionized the phrase ‘movie theatre food,’ which in turn has led to many of our new offerings skyrocketing in popularity with moviegoers.”
As part of the new agreement, DoorDash will offer a variety of popular AMC menu items, including their signature “Perfectly Popcorn,” ICEEs, nachos, and heartier options like chicken wings, flatbread pizzas, and burgers. The expanded menu also features Loaded Bacon Fries or Tots and fried mozzarella. Some other new menu items available for delivery include Bavarian Pretzels, sliders, and donut holes.
Take a look at what’s on the menu at AMC through Uber Eats here.
CAVA Focuses on Building Human Connections and Drives Growth
Since going public in 2023, the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain CAVA has seen remarkable success. CEO Brett Schulman attributes this growth to value, hospitality, and a focus on creating human connections.
Speaking at the 2024 Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference, Schulman hinted that while competitors engage in discount wars, CAVA is focused on delivering value through high-quality food, relevant cuisine, and memorable experiences. Schulman emphasized that the company has only raised prices by 18% compared to the industry’s 30%, underscoring that true value comes from more than just pricing.
Schulman said, “I think the value wars are a little bit of a misnomer. I think there is more of a discount price war. Value is where we frame it as a combination of the quality of our food, the relevance of our cuisine … convenience—you can access that cuisine and the experience you have with our brand, and we think that’s all coming together to drive the traffic growth we saw last quarter.”
With 65% of its business coming from dine-in customers, CAVA’s team members are encouraged to perform acts of kindness, like giving away meals to guests, which has led to viral social media moments. These efforts align with the company’s broader objective to foster emotional connections with guests, using platforms like social media to deepen engagement and boost brand awareness. Looking ahead, CAVA plans to expand to 1,000 locations by 2032, leveraging social media, a new loyalty program, and a growing catering business.
Learn more about CAVA Rewards here.
Sonny’s BBQ Launches Mobile App with Exclusive Rewards Program
Sonny’s BBQ is introducing a mobile app and a new app-based rewards program. The digital initiative is part of the brand’s broader effort to meet the changing needs of its guests. With today’s economic pressures, Sonny’s BBQ aims to offer value while maintaining high standards in food quality and customer experience. The app offers guests rewards like deals and discounts, ensuring that even in challenging times, they can enjoy menu items without compromising portion size or taste.
“Bringing this mobile app and loyalty program to life has introduced yet another avenue to meet our guests where they are,” said Katie Love, Director of Brand Management at Sonny’s BBQ. “We’ve put our digital transformation to the test in recent years by introducing new data-driven marketing initiatives, a new website with a streamlined user experience, and a variety of guest-centric pick-up and ordering solutions, all while keeping that in-person connection and spirit at the heart of the guest experience to ensure customer satisfaction.”
The app was developed in partnership with Thanx and has proven successful since its June release, with more than 57,000 downloads and 160,000 digital orders. It has achieved an impressive 83% cart conversion rate, significantly higher than the web conversion rate. The shift toward mobile ordering reflects a growing consumer preference for seamless, on-the-go engagement. To celebrate the app’s launch, Sonny’s BBQ offered loyalty members exclusive rewards throughout September, including double points and special weekly deals. Members of the reward program earn 10 points for every dollar spent.
Learn more about Sonny’s rewards program here.
Read More on Trends, Updates, and Industry Leaders
Original Article Links:
AMC Theatres partners with DoorDash for delivery
CAVA aims to differentiate itself by creating human connection
Earn, Eat, Repeat: Sonny’s BBQ Introduces Mobile App with Exclusive App-Based Rewards Program