Loyalty360 Reads: Jack in the Box Offers Limited-Time Calendar  Featuring Fan Art, Portillo’s Unveils Loyalty Program, and Ulta Prioritizes Personalization in 2025

Jack in the Box Unveils Limited-Time Fan Art Calendar
Jack in the Box Inc. has launched a limited-edition Fan Art Calendar. The collectible item is a tribute to the fans who have turned Jack in the Box into a late-night favorite and helped elevate the brand’s mascot, Jack, to a cultural sensation. From viral memes to fan-created art, the calendar highlights Jack’s popularity and playful charm as an unconventional CEO, as well as the brand’s crave-able menu items.

Each month showcases a different artist’s rendition of Jack, from a superhero version serving Smashed Jacks to an anime-inspired Jack sipping a milkshake. There’s even a festive Taco Jack getting into the Halloween spirit. The 2025 Fan Art Calendar is a colorful, one-of-a-kind tribute to the passionate fanbase who continue to reimagine Jack in a fun and unexpected way.

Supplies of the calendar are limited, so quick action is recommended. Anyone who purchases the calendar will also receive an exclusive promo code for 20% off Jack in the Box orders through the Jack app all year long. The calendar features artwork from an incredible group of fan artists, including @Lapiz_Lancer, @noahverrier, and many others.

Jack enthusiasts can get their hands on the exclusive calendar here: https://shopjackinthebox.com/collections/all-products/products/jacks-thirst-trap-calendar?variant=44038449889496

Portillo’s Plans to Launch Loyalty Program, Announces Growth Plans During ICR Conference
Portillo’s saw a significant boost in its share price following its presentation at the annual ICR conference in Orlando. At the conference, the fast-casual Chicago street food restaurant chain outlined a strategic plan to enhance traffic, profit margins, and returns through technology investments. The company is also about to launch a loyalty program and drive-thru technology. Additionally, Portillo’s is placing a stronger emphasis on smaller restaurant prototypes that maintain high operational volumes. This shift comes after the release of the company’s fourth-quarter results, which showed a slight increase in same-store sales and a revenue boost, both surpassing expectations.

One of the key aspects of Portillo’s strategy is the expansion of its “Restaurant of the Future” prototype. Currently, the company’s initial 6,250-square-foot prototype is in operation in Texas, with plans for a more compact 5,500-square-foot version by 2026. The company believes these smaller units, which cost significantly less to build than traditional locations, will allow for greater site selection flexibility and more frequent openings. The new design also incorporates a streamlined kitchen, creating operational efficiencies and improving employee productivity.

In addition to the new prototype, Portillo’s is ramping up its digital and drive-thru efforts. The company is launching its Portillo’s Perks loyalty program, which will be integrated into mobile wallets to minimize frustrations for customers. The goal is to enroll between 1.5 million and 1.7 million people by summer. Furthermore, Portillo’s is investing in technology to improve drive-thru speed, including computer vision tools to track wait times and optimize labor deployment. With these initiatives, the company is set to open 12 new locations in 2025.

Here’s a link to Portillo’s 2025 ICR presentation: https://investors.portillos.com/static-files/aa2cd612-c01a-4344-b1cb-10d40ff72caa

Ulta Beauty Unveils Personalization Plans for 2025 at NRF Conference
At the recent National Retail Federation Big Show conference, Ulta Beauty highlighted how it plans to use its loyalty program to enhance customer personalization. With more than 44 million members and 95% of its sales driven by the program, the retailer has valuable data that helps them understand customer preferences and shopping behavior. 

According to Josh Friedman, Ulta’s vice president of digital products, customers expect relevant and personalized experiences in return for sharing their preferences. Friedman said, “We know a few things about our customer, and that’s because she’s willing to share them with us, and she expects that kind of personalization. She shares a lot about her shopping journey and her preferences, and we need to reply with an experience that makes it easy and relevant to shop.”

A key aspect of Ulta’s personalization strategy involves making structural changes within the company to ensure that every team prioritizes the customer. Ulta is looking to shift its focus from specific products, channels, or offers to a more customer-centric approach. The shift, which spans across the organization, will be essential for delivering consistent personalization. Industry experts, such as Olivia Kwon-Best from Adobe, emphasize that this approach is a best practice, and even companies with less advanced personalization capabilities can benefit from aligning teams around customer needs.

Watch as Josh Friedman shares the company’s vision and personalization strategies with Omni Talk Retail on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8lqvisLKC8

Original Article Links:
Taco ’Bout Fan Art: Jack in the Box’s Calendar is a Feast for the Eyes
Portillo’s plan to drive traffic includes computer vision, loyalty
Ulta Beauty has big plans for its personalization efforts in 2025
 

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