Smoothie Factory Opens Co-Branded Stores with Friendly's
Smoothie Factory announces the grand opening of its first two locations in the Northeast inside New England favorite Friendly’s Restaurants. A Smoothie Factory will reside in the Friendly’s Vernon (103 Talcottville Road, Vernon, CT), which opened August 18th and within Friendly’s North Haven (140 Universal Drive, North Haven, CT), which opened August 21st.
This store-in-store footprint is the first from the unified leadership team over both brands and hints at a value proposition that is faster than new construction and stronger than a ghost kitchen to deliver time-tested menu offerings. Both locations will offer the Smoothie Factory menu for online ordering and delivery, which includes a selection of specialty smoothies and four delicious Power Bowls, made with a blend of superfruits and topped with whole fruits, coconut and granola.
Gap Inc. Acquires Ecommerce Startup Drapr
Gap Inc. has acquired Drapr, an ecommerce startup and online application based on technology that enables customers to quickly create 3D avatars and virtually try on clothing. Drapr is designed to help customers find the best clothing size and fit for their personal style and body type, while helping retailers reduce unnecessary returns.
“Fit is the number one point of friction for customers and, through their advanced 3D technology, Drapr has shown it can help shoppers efficiently find the size and fit they need. We plan to leverage Drapr to help Gap Inc. improve the fit experience for our customers and accelerate our ongoing digital transformation,” said Sally Gilligan, Chief Growth Transformation Officer at Gap Inc.
7-Eleven Drafts Roster of Superfan Influencers
7-Eleven is drafting three social media-savvy customers to join its squad of football superfans and show their followers – and the world – how 7-Eleven® helps fuel their fandom. Led by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, pro football wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and sportscaster Erin Andrews (each with a social media fan base in the millions!), the 7-Eleven Superfan Influencer Team will "Take It To Eleven™" all season long as they cheer on their favorite teams.
To be considered for the team, head to Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter and share a creative, cool, or fun image or video (or several) that shows how 7-Eleven takes game day to ELEVEN. Be sure to include #FuelYourFandomContest and tag @7Eleven with every post. Submissions close October 15.
Free Breakfast And Upgrades: ‘Leading Hotels Of The World’ Updates Loyalty Program
Forbes.com reports that Leaders Club, the loyalty program of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) group, is fresh from a facelift that makes it more accessible with new benefits to go with it. One of the biggest changes is making the program free to join. Previously, members had to pay a $175 annual fee to take advantage of the instant benefits like free breakfast. Now, it’s free for everyone with benefits available after joining rather than only after achieving elite status.
Phil Koserowski, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, explains the recent changes to the independent hotel consortium’s loyalty program and how new members may find it especially rewarding when compared to traditional loyalty programs.