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#TheGreatAmericanTakeout offers a second helping

Organizers see Tuesday off-premise social promotion continuing; Taco Bell offers a free taco

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 30, 2020

2 Min Read
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Organizers behind last week’s inaugural #TheGreatAmericanTakeout are taking a second bite at the apple on Tuesday, offering restaurants another push on social platforms to highlight off-premise offerings.

A coalition of restaurant brands and the Los Angeles-based ad agency High Wide & Handsome are offering restaurant operators free downloadable images at its website to promote Tuesday’s Great American Takeout promotion.

Last week’s campaign generated more than 28,000 posts on Twitter and 21,000 on Instagram, a spokesperson for the group said. Any restaurant brand can participate by just using the #TheGreatAmericanTakeout hashtag.

“We are going to be pushing this again nationwide this week on Tuesday and subsequent weeks to help our industry,” said Sarah Grover, interim chief marketing officer of Culver City, Calif.-based Veggie Grill, one of the restaurant brands in the coalition.

Also on Tuesday, Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell Corp. said participating locations will be offering a free Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco at its drive-thrus, while supplies last.

Great-American-Takeout-2-Square-Small.png“It’s a small way for us to say thank you for the ways you’re showing up for your communities and our chance to give you a little TLC during this time,” Mark King, CEO of the Yum Brands Inc. division, said Monday in a letter to customers. “We also know that for many of you, delivery is more than just an option – it’s a necessity. We’ve expanded our free delivery offer through GrubHub for all orders $12 and up to make it easier for you.”

Related:#TheGreatAmericanTakeout movement trends on social media as restaurants promote takeout during the coronavirus pandemic

King said most Taco Bell restaurants are operating only through the drive-thru. “This leaves some truck and ambulance drivers unable to quickly order from us,” he said. “We are working with our franchisees on a solution for this where possible, and we want to make sure this group knows how much we appreciate everything they’re doing.”

In addition, the Taco Bell Foundation is donating $1 million to No Kid Hungry, the national campaign to end childhood hunger in America, King said.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

 

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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