Fast-food Marketers Boosted Loyalty and Revenue with Limited-Time Holiday-Themed Offerings
Marketers know the holidays are the perfect time to drive sales, and the 2024 season proved just how powerful holiday-themed promotions can be. Fast-food franchisors went all out to spread the cheer and boost year-end revenue with creative limited-time specials. From peppermint-flavored drinks to branded “ugly sweaters” and Christmas ornaments, they used festive flair to strengthen brand loyalty and keep customers coming back for more.
This holiday season, franchises didn’t just stop at Thanksgiving or Black Friday — they kept the celebrations going for weeks. Holiday-inspired drinks, food items, and gift card deals turned every visit into a reason to smile.
Here’s a look back at some of the best fast-food holiday promotions of 2024 that had us all feeling jolly.
Thanksgiving Fast-Food Promotions
Fast-food franchises used smart marketing in 2024 to tap into the Thanksgiving spirit, offering convenient meals that made life easier for families and kept customers coming back. These brands positioned themselves as holiday helpers by promoting stress-free solutions.
Bob Evans highlighted its to-go holiday hot family meal with slow-roasted turkey, hickory-smoked ham, and a full spread of classic sides (above). Targeted promotions made it clear the meal was both convenient and a great value.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit focused on its Big Yellow Box, offering 4 pounds of turkey, baked potato casserole, green beans, and cornbread dressing. The campaign pitched it as the ultimate Thanksgiving hack for skipping the cooking hassle without losing flavor.
Both brands used creative holiday marketing to turn Thanksgiving stress into stronger customer loyalty and higher sales.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals
Black Friday and Cyber Monday were prime opportunities for restaurant franchisors to kick off the holiday season with creative marketing campaigns designed to drive sales and build customer loyalty. This year, brands like Buona and Mountain Mike’s Pizza leveraged these shopping holidays with targeted promotions that rewarded customer engagement and spending.
Buona’s gift card campaign (above) was a textbook example of strategic marketing. By offering a $5 bonus card with a $25 gift card purchase on Black Friday and a $25 bonus card for spending $75 from Dec. 1 to 3, Buona effectively incentivized customers to spend more while ensuring future visits. This approach not only boosted immediate revenue but also created a pipeline for repeat business.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza tapped into digital convenience and loyalty rewards to maximize impact. Their Black Friday online promotion — 20% off orders with the code FRIDAY20 — was straightforward and enticing. On Cyber Monday, the brand doubled down on loyalty marketing by awarding triple points to Mountain Rewards members, reinforcing the value of their loyalty program while driving online traffic.
Both brands demonstrated how well-executed holiday marketing can blend immediate sales goals with long-term customer engagement strategies, making Black Friday and Cyber Monday key moments for brand visibility and growth.
Fast-Food Christmas Specials
Christmas gave fast-food brands a chance to get creative and connect with customers through festive marketing. Krispy Kreme and Scooter’s Coffee stood out with fun, themed campaigns that brought holiday cheer and boosted sales.
Krispy Kreme’s Grinch-inspired doughnut collection (above) was a hit, featuring treats like the Grinch doughnut, Cindy-Lou Who merry berry tree, and Santa belly doughnut. The playful designs and connection to a classic holiday story made it a memorable campaign.
Scooter’s Coffee tapped into nostalgia with its CANDY LAND-themed holiday menu. Items named after characters like Mr. Mint and Queen Frostine turned a beloved board game into a festive, buzzworthy experience.
Both brands showed how simple, creative ideas can turn holiday spirit into loyal customers and strong sales.
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