Loyalty360 Reads: Yum! Brands Partners with University of Louisville, rue21 Awards $100K Prize in Mobile App Launch Campaign, and Famous Footwear and Caleres Donations Reach $1M

Yum! Brands and University of Louisville Unveil Accelerating Growth Training Program for Executives 

The University of Louisville and Yum! Brands are partnering to launch an “Accelerating Growth” program to educate operations leaders in assuming senior management and executive positions at franchise businesses. The university’s program at the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence gives franchise industry professionals the training to accelerate their careers. 

Kathleen Gosser, director of the center and an assistant professor of the university’s College of Business, said, “We are incredibly grateful for Yum!’s continued support for the center and this opportunity to expand the center’s programs. The center has strongly supported newer entrepreneurs, providing advanced training since 2021.” 

Yum! Brands is contributing over $800,000 to launch the “Accelerating Growth” programs, over and above a 2021 commitment of $3.5 million for the center. 

The two programs include a six-month Level 1 and an advanced one-year program. The new courses will start in the summer and fall of 2024 and will train attendees to assume higher-tier executive roles. The programs will offer experiential and online education. The advanced program will also show entrepreneurs how to develop a business plan. 

Since the center’s launch, more than 900 students have enrolled in its classes, including 500 executive education attendees, 423 undergrad students, and 50 graduate-level enrollees. To date, the Franchise Accelerator Fellowship award has granted $10,000 scholarships to four MBA students from the University of Louisville and Howard University. The scholarship honorees are also eligible for mentorship and personalized training on the franchise business model from industry experts.  

Head of Global Franchising for Yum! Brands, Wanda Williams said, “Yum! Brands is passionate about the franchise business model, and capable franchise leaders are the lifeblood of every successful franchise system. We are thrilled to partner with the University of Louisville and address a need of the industry — training a new generation of leaders to take on senior management roles in franchise businesses.” 

You can learn more about the program here

 

Rue21 Elevates the Shopping Experience with New Mobile App, Awards $100K Prize in the rue21 App Download Giveaway 

It isn’t every day someone is rewarded with $100,000 just for downloading a mobile app, but a food service worker from Fenville, Michigan, hit a major payday for downloading rue21’s new mobile app.  

As part of the grand prize, Mary Brown will receive a weekend getaway to Pittsburgh, complete with airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and tickets to a museum and a Penguins game. The prize also includes a personal day of styling for Brown and her son. 

The retailer, known for its trendy fashion attire, launched the App Download Giveaway campaign on November 15, 2023. The clothing chain ran the campaign through December 24, 2023, and encouraged customers to download the app and join its REWARDS loyalty program.  

The new app, found in the App Store or Google Play, highlights rue21’s exclusive deals and latest trends. Users can also get $5 for every $50 spent when they join the retailer’s REWARDS program. When they sign up for emails through the app, they also receive a 21% welcome discount. 

In addition to the $100,000 grand prize, the Pennsylvania-based apparel retailer held weekly $1,000 drawings during the end of the year and presented Brown with her grand prize on January 27, 2024.  

rue21 CEO Josh Burris said, “At rue21, engaging and meaningful connections with our customers are the heart of what we do, and this life-changing giveaway is an example of us reaching out, being bold and disruptive as we drive loyalty to our brand. The rue21 app makes shopping our on-trend and incredibly priced styles more accessible than ever, and knowing so many of our young customers rely on apps, it’s where we need to meet them.” 

Learn more about rue21’s REWARDS program here.  

 

Donations from Famous Footwear and Caleres Reach $1M for Soles4Souls 

The program launched in 2023 to benefit Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid initiative has officially received $1 million in donations from Famous Footwear and Caleres

Much of the donations came from customers who rounded up their purchases to provide new shoes to homeless students in the United States. Famous Footwear customers have also donated more than 15,000 pairs of gently used shoes to beneficiaries of the Soles4Souls 4Opportunity program, which works with low-income individuals to open their own businesses. 

In 2022, Caleres initially committed $1 million in donations through its Caleres Cares Charitable Trust, which has donated money to communities and organizations for over a century. Today, the trust also provides funds and new shoes to support the Soles4Souls 4EveryKid program. 

CEO and President of Soles4Souls Buddy Teaster said, “While our relationship with Caleres goes back many years, this partnership has gone to new levels, especially thanks to Famous Footwear. They and their customers trust us with their hard-earned contributions, so tens of thousands of our most vulnerable students will receive new athletic shoes.” 

Mike Edwards, President of Famous Footwear, said, “We’re proud to partner with Buddy and the Soles4Souls organization to help make an impact on the lives of so many kids in need. We are grateful to our customers and team for once again generously helping to improve the lives of others while also supporting sustainability and circularity.” 

The Soles4Souls organization was formed to make a difference for children in need and turn clothing and shoes into economic and educational opportunities to provide more hopeful futures. The nonprofit sources shoes and clothing for people in crisis to free up financial resources for other needs. 

Moreover, Soles4Souls partners with other nonprofits, schools, and businesses to create more educational and economic opportunities. 

You can learn more about Soles4Souls 4EveryKid here

 

Read More on Trends, Updates, and Industry Leaders   

 

Original Article Links: 

Yum! Brands, University of Louisville Launch ‘Accelerating Growth’ Executive Education Programs to Train Next Generation of Senior Franchise Leaders 

Rue21 Spotlights New Mobile App and rue21 Rewards Loyalty Program With $100,000 Payday For Lucky Giveaway Winner 

Famous Footwear, Caleres Reach $1 Million Milestone to Support Soles4Souls 

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