How Panera Bread Is Building Its Team Culture—Virtually
RestrantBusinessOnline.com reports on how Panera Bread CEO Niren Chaudhary oversees executives on his team who he has never even met in person. It’s understandable, given that Chaudhary took over the brand in May of 2019, about eight months before a global pandemic would turn the restaurant industry, and the world, upside down.
Of the 10 executives who are his direct reports, eight are new hires to the chain, brought in by Chaudhary in recent months as part of a major transformation for the fast casual. What’s more, every member of the executive team is a Panera owner.
Why Facebook Acquired Kustomer and How It Will Impact Customer Service Solutions
CMSWire.com reports that Facebook’s reported $1 billion acquisition of digital customer service technology provider Kustomer marks another acknowledgement that texts, instant messages and asynchronous conversations own a big slice of the customer service digital interaction world. It also allows Facebook to expand on the 175 million businesses who already engage with customers on WhatsApp and offers those businesses capabilities from an omnichannel CRM platform.
Forget about a CRM battle, though. This isn’t about the social media giant diving head-first into the CRM space and competing with Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. And, BTW, will Facebook even be that “giant” for much longer? The U.S. Government doesn’t think it should be.
Apple Card promo offers $5 in Daily Cash with $25 purchase at Panera Bread
Reported by MacRumors, iMore.com says customers who spend $25 or more with Panera Bread can now get $5 in Daily Cash when they pay with their Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apple has notified Apple Card cardholders of the promotion in an email sent out earlier today.
According to the promotion, customers can make the purchase in the Panera app, website, or at a Panera retail location. The deal will run starting today and last through December 25, 2020. It is limited to one purchase and gift cards do not count.
PetSmart Celebrates the Season of Spoiling with Virtual Santa Photos and Sweepstakes
PetSmart has designated this holiday season the Season of Spoiling with a myriad of festive gifts for pet parents to shower upon their furry, finned and even scaly pets. To make the season even brighter, the largest pet specialty retailer is launching its first-ever Spoil & Snap Sweeps with a $50,000 grand prize to spoil your pet, plus virtual photos with Santa Claus to help pet parents capture the spirit of the season. The event, which starts tomorrow and runs through Dec. 24, will be in lieu of the retailer's annual photos with Santa event that typically takes place in the stores.
"Throughout this year of uncertainty, our pets have been there for us and they deserve to be spoiled. In fact, we could all use a little spoiling," Will Smith, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at PetSmart said.
"That's why we're launching the Spoil & Snap Sweeps that combines the spirit of the holidays with plenty of prizes for pets and pet parents alike to enjoy. Plus, there's nothing more 2020 than a virtual photo with Santa!"