Chipotle to Open First Drive-Thru Only Restaurant
Chipotle’s evolution has felt the digital pull for some time now. It’s a process that began ahead of COVID-19, most notably with pickup shelves and the rapid installation of second-make lines to serve a fast-growing off-premises business.
The fast-casual unveiled its most vivid manifestation yet of this shifting landscape—a “Chipotlane Digital Kitchen,” which features a walk-up window and no dining room or front line. Set to open in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, later in December, the store is smaller than traditional Chipotlanes (the entirely digital, order-ahead drive-thru windows that have proliferated the brand in recent years) and boasts a kitchen equipped with a make-line dedicated to digital orders placed through the Chipotle app and the chain’s website, as well as marketplace partners. Consumers and delivery drivers collect digital orders through the Chipotlane drive-thru or walk-up window. There’s also a patio for guests to sit and eat.
Dallas Cowboys Expanding Presence in Mexico
The Dallas Cowboys announced that the team has been awarded a license to expand their International Home Marketing Area (HMA) into Mexico. This comes as the NFL aims to increase international awareness and excitement alongside selected clubs.
“With this announcement, the NFL has opened the door for the Dallas Cowboys to connect more directly with our strongest international fan base in the world in Mexico,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones. “We have a deep appreciation for our fans in Mexico, as their passion for the Cowboys has been felt from our preseason games played in both Mexico City (three times) and Monterrey (once). We’re always looking for ways to enhance engagement with our fans in Mexico and are grateful the League has recognized that the Cowboys are uniquely positioned to help grow the game of football in Mexico while growing our community of Cowboys fans.”
Vibes Launches Mobile Wallet
Vibes announced the launch of Mobile Wallet as a Channel, the next level of innovation of its already market-leading dynamic mobile wallet solution. Mobile Wallet as a Channel revolutionizes how brands use native mobile wallet apps, Apple Wallet and Google Pay, on consumers’ mobile devices to deliver persistent, personalized and dynamic mobile experiences for marketing, loyalty and servicing.
Mobile wallet usage, to date, has been predominantly driven by mobile payments, which is expected to reach $12.1T by 2027, according to Allied Market Research. However, mobile wallet use cases extend beyond digital credit cards for payments and give brands across industries the opportunity to capitalize on this shift in behavior. Brands can digitize coupons, loyalty cards, gift cards, insurance cards, room keys, tickets, appointment reminders and other items in consumers’ physical wallets in the form of mobile wallet passes.
Socios.com and the LA Kings Announce Strategic New Partnership
Socios.com, the all-in-one influence and rewards app for sports fans across the world, continued its North American expansion today with the announcement of a strategic new marketing and advertising partnership with the LA Kings. The new agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, makes Socios.com an official partner of the LA Kings and deepens its ties to passionate sports and entertainment fans across Southern California. Additionally, the new relationship builds on Socios.com’s growing roster of partnerships with major sports teams.
“We are proud to partner with the LA Kings and their global fanbase,” said Socios.com CEO Alexandre Dreyfus. “The Kings have a strong international brand and an exciting new arena naming rights partner. We look forward to introducing their supporters to a new world of fan influence.”