Casual-Dining Accounts in Play

Midrange restaurants are looking to rebrand as economy wanes

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

Could a rotten economy actually be good for casual-dining restaurants?

Ten chains—which collectively spend about $160 million a year in media—have reviewed their creative accounts this year, and most are still in play. The bigger spenders include TGI Friday’s, CiCi’s Pizza, Cracker Barrel, and Dave & Buster’s. The others—Ruby Tuesday, Captain D’s, Friendly’s, Perkins, Old Chicago, and Ninety Nine—have invested less but are addressing the same core challenge: Is it possible not only to entice people to eat out in bad financial times, but to attract new customers as well?

“The lines of class have been blurred,” said Hasan Ramusevic of the Hasan + Co.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in