ND10031111

Title: QSRs Ramp Up Deals

Description: With many in its core demographic still jobless, fast-food restaurants are returning to discounts to boost business.

Page Content: CHICAGO ? The deals are back. Fast-food restaurants, which had been trending away from cheap food, are once again offering sweet discounts in an effort to gain traffic, USA Today reports.

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With unemployment for those between the ages of 18 and 24 hovering close to 20 percent, many quick-service restaurants are ramping up their deals to boost sales. Overall, with the exception of McDonald?s, fast food restaurant sales have begun to slide.

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The NPD Group found that Millennial restaurant visits dropped to 192 visits this year, down sharply from 245 five years ago. ?We've never seen anything like this,? said Bonnie Riggs, NPD restaurant analyst.

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Some restaurants with new or returning deals include Pizza Hut, which is bringing back its $10 pizzas. ?The environment hasn't gotten any better for consumers,? said Kurt Kane, who is the chain?s chief marketing officer. Domino?s also has a $7.99 deal on large, carryout pizzas, as well as pricing its new Artisan Pizza at the same price.

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Burger King has a meal-deal for two for $6.99 that includes two Whoppers, two small fries and two small beverages. Subway is returning its popular $5 foot-long sub deal. ?You have to have strong offers out there in this economy,? said Tony Pace, chief marketing officer of Subway?s ad agency.

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Dairy Queen now has $5 meals that include a DQ Grillburger with cheese, fries, medium beverage and Mini Blizzard. Taco Bell has a 99-cent Chicken Flatbread sandwich. ?Deals are more important than ever,? said Tom Wagner, Burger King marketing vice president.

Content Subject: Foodservice, Marketing/Merchandising

Formatted Article Date: October 3, 2011

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