STARBUCKS INTRODUCES FIRST SKI-THRU AT SQUAW VALLEY SKI RESORT

http://www.squaw.com/media/squaw-opens-worlds-first-ski-inski-out-starbucks

RED BOY PIZZA HAS A HEART FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WITH FUNDRAISER FOR THE HEART ASSOCIATION

Local favorite since 1969, Home of the Sourdough Crust, Will Donate One Dollar for Every Heart-Shaped Pizza Sold February 1st –February 14th, Valentine’s Day, to The Heart Association

Duke Marketing client, Red Boy Pizza, home of the sourdough crust since 1969, announced they will host a Valentine’s Day fundraiser. Red Boy Pizza has created a Heart Shaped large-sized pizza with two toppings for $18, and one dollar for each heart-shaped pizza sold will be donated to the North Bay and Oakland Heart Association's. Heart-shaped pizzas will be available beginning February 1st through Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2012.

“We are proud to support the Heart Association,” said Radwan. “We hope our guests help us support them by enjoying our new heart-shaped pizza while donating to a great cause!”

Each heart-shaped pizza is created from scratch using the finest sourdough in the world, San Francisco Sourdough. The large two-topping pizza is offered at a special price at $18 for dine-in, take-out or free delivery. Guests may order a heart-shaped pizza and a green salad for $24, or for dine-in only, enjoy a heart-shaped pizza, a green salad and two glasses of wine, for a special Valentine’s treat for two offered at $28. Heart-shaped pizzas are only available February 1st -14t, 2012, at all participating locations.

For more than 40 years, Red Boy Pizza has been a family-owned local Bay Area favorite and known as the “home of the sourdough crust.” In fact, they have been making their famous sourdough crust since their first location opened in 1969.

The 43-year old company has eight Bay Area locations with two in Oakland, and six in Marin and Sonoma, and is growing through franchise opportunities. For more information and a list of locations please visit: http://www.redboypizza.com/

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BUFFET PARTNERS-FURR’S HIRES DUKE MARKETING
Duke Marketing to Manage Grand Openings and Local Store Marketing for Buffet Chain

San Rafael, Calif. – January 25, 2012 – Duke Marketing LLC, an integrated marketing communications firm, announced today Furr’s Fresh Buffet, owned by Buffet Partners, L.P. with 46 Furr's and Furr's Fresh Buffet locations in seven western and southern states, has chosen Duke Marketing to provide grand opening communications, local store marketing and public relations for the brand.

“Last year, Duke Marketing worked with their magic for us and created the biggest grand openings in the history of our Company," says director of marketing, Jill Gouge Laird. “Linda has been instrumental in developing traffic-building public relations strategies and special events for our restaurants. Her energy, enthusiasm and ideas are endless!” she said.

Since 1946 Furr’s Fresh Buffet has been serving fresh, wholesome meals and giving guests the ultimate in choice with over 120 freshly prepared menu items to choose from daily. Some of the recipes that made Furr’s famous included the legendary Millionaire Pie and skillet-grilled chicken fried steak. Guests also enjoy grilled sirloin steak, golden-fried butterflied shrimp, citrus-fired chicken, hand-carved roast beef, baked fish; fresh build-your-own salads; steamed veggies; oven-baked breads; and mouthwatering desserts.

“Last year we assisted Buffet Partners by opening their newest concept, Furr’s Fresh Buffet, in Houston and San Antonio,” said Linda Duke, chief executive of Duke Marketing, LLC. “The newly designed restaurants blew guests away and we look forward to opening more locations this year with the same excitement.”

Duke Marketing also developed several new local store marketing programs and will execute those for the brand this year. “We are so thrilled our LSM programs will be implemented and assist in introducing the new Furr’s Fresh Buffet in the new communities they serve,” said Duke.

About Duke Marketing, LLC®

Duke Marketing, LLC, is a California-based full service marketing company with expertise in integrated marketing communications specializing exclusively with multi-location and franchise organizations. Founded by Linda Duke in 1986, Duke Marketing combines a full range of services including: strategy, brand creation and thought-leadership, local store marketing, grand openings, public relations, promotions and cause marketing, franchise communications, market-by-market planning, creative development, social media, advertising and media buying; with on-target strategies, fresh ideas and creative concepts to offer complete solutions.

Duke Marketing Publishing®, a subsidiary of Duke Marketing, LLC, publishes a quarterly online restaurant industry resource, Restaurant Marketing Magazine™ http://www.restaurantmarketingmag.com/, the nationally acclaimed” Four Star Restaurant Marketing Cookbook—Recipes for Restaurateurs®” http://www.marketing-cookbook.com/, a blog at http://www.marketing-cookbook.blogspot.com/ and produces LSM-U™ , Local Store Marketing University, an educational series http://www.lsm-u.com/ . For more information contact Duke Marketing at 415-492-4534 or please visit http://www.dukemarketing.com/ and LIKE US on Facebook.

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THE LATEST ISSUE OF RESTAURANT MARKETING MAGAZINE IS HERE!

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RITA’S ITALIAN ICE CHOOSES DUKE MARKETING AS AGENCY OF RECORD

Duke Marketing Wins New Business from Nation’s Largest Italian Ice Concept

Duke Marketing LLC, an integrated marketing communications firm, announced today Rita’s Franchise Company, concept owner of Rita’s Italian Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with more than 550 locations in 18 states, has chosen Duke Marketing as an agency of record. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Duke Marketing will manage the Philadelphia headquartered Company’s communications, branding, local store marketing and public relations for the expanding restaurant chain.

In December, Falconhead Capital, LLC, a private equity firm specializing in growing consumer-focused businesses, announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Rita's Italian Ice Franchise Company, with plans to grow the business.

“There's a lot of growth in our future," says newly appointed chief executive officer, Jonathan Fornaci. “We needed a firm to communicate our brand and having worked with Duke Marketing before, I knew they were the perfect fit for us to help us grow,” he said.

Rita's was founded in 1984 by Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter who, alongside his mother Elizabeth and brother John, made and sold Italian Ice from their small porch window. Today, with its brand promise, “Ice, Custard and Happiness™”, Rita’s offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, and layered Gelati, Light Line® treat options as well as its signature Misto® and Blendini® creations. Rita’s was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal’s ‘Startup Journal.’ In a 2009 Zagat survey of over 6,000 fast-food fans, Rita’s was ranked #2 in the Top Ice Cream/Custard category.

“Rita’s Ice is a fantastic brand with a huge loyal following,” said Linda Duke, chief executive of Duke Marketing, LLC. “Our focus will be to gain more national awareness for the brand and assist their team with creative and business driving strategies as well as grand openings for numerous new locations. We couldn’t be more excited!”

TEN RESTAURANT MARKETING RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012:

1. Restaurant Marketing must become increasingly targeted, focused, and personal

2. Restaurant Marketing must build real, tangible and enduring brand value

3. Restaurant Marketing must become more effective—more creative, insightful and accountable

4. Restaurant Marketing must become more integrated and proficient in managing expanding media platforms

5. The marketing supply chain must become more efficient and productive

6. The restaurant marketing ecosystem—including agencies, media and suppliers—must become increasingly capable

7. Restaurant Marketing professionals must become better, highly skilled, and diverse leaders

8. Restaurant Marketing must be indisputably socially responsible

9. Restaurant Marketing must be unencumbered my inappropriate legislation or regulation

10. The marketing discipline must be elevated and respected!!!!

Happy New Year from the Duke Marketing team!

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RESTAURANT MARKETING TRENDS & TIPS FOR 2012

Duke Marketing provides insights for Restaurant Marketers

READ HERE:

http://www.fastcasual.com/article/188325/Commentary-What-restaurant-marketing-trends-will-emerge-in-2012?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter