Yum Brands’ fast-fish chain Long John Silver’s has re-upped as a sponsor of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week franchise, buying on-air tune-in spots designed to lure viewers into trying its new Shrimp Trio meal.

Co-branded 15- and 30-second spots for the programming tent pole and the Louisville-based chain went live this week and will remain on Discovery’s air through August 8. Created in-house by the Discovery Studios unit, the spots feature two regular Joes enthusing about Shark Week and LJS’s $5.99 shrimp offering.

“You know, when you’re watching Shark Week you want someone to share it with…but when you have a Long John Silver’s Shrimp Trio, not so much,” says one of the actors as he steers a yellow LJS bag out of his friend’s reach. A great white shark is then seen breaching with a seal clamped in its jaws, and as a pile of shrimp cascades from a colander, a voiceover relates the price point.

The spots conclude with a title card that reads “Happy Shark Week” and the Discovery logo and tag line (“The World is Just Awesome”).

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Charles Barkley can do no wrong…even when he does wrong.  And Taco Bell loves him for it.

Regardless of past gambling issues, a DUI conviction, or an equally criminal golf swing, the NBA Hall of Famer and current NBA studio analyst for TNT has proven himself to be spokesperson gold.

Many of us are familiar with his humorous T-Mobile commercials with Dwyane Wade, and from early 2010 through the 2010 NBA playoffs we were treated to his Taco Bell musings regarding the Taco Bell $5 combo meal (“That’s not so ‘turrible’ “, he famously quips with his Southern accent).

According to findings from a Sports Business Journal analysis of data from Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, Taco Bell – which signed on as an NBA partner in July ’09 – is seeing more than 22% of avid NBA fans correctly identify the restaurant as the league’s official QSR (quick service restaurant), up from 3% a year ago.  Casual fans also took note, with almost 15% correctly identifying Taco Bell as the official partner.

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As many restaurant chains struggle to ride out the most challenging foodservice industry climate in recent history, Papa Murphy’s Take-’N'-Bake Pizza chain seems to be offering the right formula at the right time: convenient yet fresh and reasonably priced meal solutions.

And from the marketing perspective, a local, community-oriented, franchise-owner approach facilitated by corporate has been no small factor in driving awareness and uptake of an already of-its-time concept, a chain executive tells Marketing Daily.

The Vancouver, Wash.-based Papa Murphy’s chain, which uses fresh dough and toppings to create pizzas that consumers take home and bake themselves, is bucking the declining traffic/sales trends impacting so many restaurant chains and independents. Those trends reflect both consumers’ reductions in dining out in favor of at-home meal preparation and food retailers’ aggressive moves to compete with restaurants by expanding into fresh, easy-to-prepare-at-home convenience foods.

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Gotta wanna needa getta hava…new slogan?

After seven years with a tagline that’s as big a mouthful as a gravy biscuit, Charlotte-based fried chicken chain Bojangles’ is changing its advertising pitch. Gone is “Gottawannaneedagettahava Bojangles’?” and in is “It’s Bo Time,” a play on the slang phrase “It’s go time,” which usually means “It’s time to start” and “It’s on.”

Bojangles’ launched the campaign last month and is currently airing three 30-second television ads, four radio ads and some shorter TV spots, as well as using billboards. The TV ads feature people in urgent situations – proposing marriage, going into labor, pulling over someone for speeding – interrupted by a growling stomach, which prompts them to realize “It’s Bo time” and rush to Bojangles.

“We think ‘It’s Bo time’ is a very unique positioning, that our brand inspires craving like no other chain or food does, so when that craving strikes, it’s Bo time,” said Randy Poindexter, Bojangles’ senior vice president of marketing. “It’s a call to action to go to Bojangles’.”

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A year ago, Starbucks knocked off Coca-Cola as the most popular corporate brand on Facebook, with its page on the social network drawing 3.7 million fans. Now the coffee giant has become the first brand to clear the 10 million-fan mark on Facebook, with its nearest rivals — Coke and Skittles — both trailing behind at about 6.5 million.

To put Starbucks’ social ascent in perspective, the company is close to catching up to pop icon Lady Gaga in Facebook fans. She’s just ahead in the rankings, with about 10.4 million, according to data compiled by the Inside Facebook blog. Only other celebrities (Michael Jackson, Vin Diesel), games (“Texas Hold’em Poker,” “Mafia Wars”), “Family Guy,” Facebook, and the President himself, stand ahead of Starbucks in the number of Facebook fans.

So what’s the secret of the coffee chain’s success on the site?

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After years of campaigns centered on a “Gotta wanna needa getta hava” jingle/theme, regional QSR Bojangles’ is unveiling a new approach to conveying fans’ unstoppable craving for the brand’s “Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits.”

TV spots from the chain’s new agency, Charlotte, N.C.-based BooneOakley, play off a new catch phrase, “It’s Bo time.” In each vignette, a very audible stomach growl signals “Bo Time,” triggering a frantic rush to the nearest Bojangles’. And in each case, the call interrupts an activity that would otherwise be considered a fairly urgent priority.

For instance, in one of the new 30-second spots, police pull over and collar a stocking-masked suspect, but immediately take him along on a breakneck race to Bojangles’, where one cop casually Tasers the crook to keep him quiet while the officers bolt for the order counter. Others show characters compelled to answer the rumbling stomach/”Bo Time” call amid a marriage proposal and a frontier-era incipient baby delivery.

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Restaurants are struggling to wean customers from the steady diet of deals they have offered in recent years, underscoring the fragility of the industry’s recovery at a time of high unemployment.

On Monday, California Pizza Kitchen Inc. said its second-quarter same-store sales would fall between 6% and 7%, much worse than its prior forecast of a 0.5% to 2.5% decline. The company, known for Jamaican jerk chicken and other gourmet pizzas, attributed a large part of the drop to not running its “Thank You Card” promotion, which offered discounts or cash prizes when customers came back for another meal, as it had in previous years.

“They’re trying to lap a promotion with no promotion, and in this environment it’s just not working,” said Lynne Collier, a restaurant analyst at Sterne Agee.

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While it’s still early in the game, Denny’s is seeing “excellent” results thus far from its new program offering exclusive discounts to AARP members, according to John Dillon, VP, marketing and product development for Denny’s Corp.

Denny’s implemented its AARP discount program in late March, with two special member offers effective through 2010. Members who show their AARP cards at participating Denny’s locations nationwide on any day of the week between 4 and 10 p.m. are eligible to receive 20% off the total check amount for themselves and their guests. In addition, the card entitles AARP members and their guests, on a 24/7 basis, to a standing price of $1 for a cup of coffee.

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When Chick-fil-A rolled out its new Spicy Chicken Sandwich, it could have tried a variety of traditional marketing tactics: a downloadable coupon, free samples or a sandwich giveaway to any customer dressed like a cow.
 
But the company had tried those tactics before and was never quite satisfied. For example, although last year’s Labor Day promotion, in which fans dressed in sport attire received a free chicken sandwich, drew crowds, customer service suffered. Chick-fil-A wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again when it launched its first new sandwich platform in more than 20 years.

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The biggest recent highlight for the Denny’s restaurant brand was its 2010 Super Bowl campaign marking the return of its free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday promotion. It was also, as it turns out, the last hurrah for Denny’s CEO Nelson Marchioli.

Denny’s 30-second advertisement during the game, offering a free Grand Slam breakfast on the ensuing Tuesday, captivated Americans even though it was the second consecutive Super Bowl that Denny’s tried the gambit. In this year’s cheeky TV spots, chickens were urged to “get out of town” because it was going to be a heavy egg-laying week.

Just as in 2009, Denny’s served about two million free Grand Slam breakfasts on the appointed morning. Marchioli proclaimed the event “a great day for Americans” as well as for the chain, a boast that was backed up by post-Super Bowl buzz, which rose 11 points and tied with E-Trade for biggest viral buzz-making.

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It was a quick dance for a disco CD included in Wendy’s kid meals.

That’s because the Atlanta-based burger chain pulled the prize due to questionable lyrics in one of the songs.

Apparently, there are two sets of lyrics for Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.” And when the words are bad, they’re so, so bad.

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Yelp is only the latest big player to take on mobile social networking leader Foursquare. Last week restaurant review site Yelp rolled out a Foursquare-like system of badge awards for location-based check-ins by reviewers. Others have taken a similar route, but Yelp may provide the stiffest competition to date. Here’s why.

As the dominant online review site, Yelp already has an enormous audience of users who are interested in where other people are eating, drinking or playing — and what they think about those places.

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Atlanta resident Dale Boone defeated 25 other participants by eating 43 ribs in 8 minutes June 10 to take home the inaugural Texas Roadhouse rib-eating championship at the Pelham restaurant.

Boone, who is a World League of Competitive Eating champion, competes in more than 150 competitive eating events a year, yet he was still looking for more following Thursday’s event.

“I’m hungry,” Boone said sauce-smeared smile.

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Following Duffy’s Sports Grill’s recent grand opening of their 22nd location in South Florida, the leading regional chain today announced they have formed a strategic partnership with the Florida Panthers.  In conjunction with what promises to be an exciting 2010/11 hockey season, Duffy’s will be providing a platform for the team to reach the 3 million guests patronizing its restaurants in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.  Duffy’s will be hosting draft parties, watch parties, bus trips to important games, and other special event activities throughout the season.

“Due to their significant presence in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, Duffy’s Sports Grill is a perfect partner to help us reach northward in our quest for new loyal hockey fans,” said SSE president & COO Michael Yormark.  ”In addition, we will be adding value for our fans by providing them with special offers and perks at Duffy’s.”

To kick-off the partnership, Duffy’s Sports Grill will be hosting the Florida Panthers 2010 NHL Entry Draft Watch Parties on Friday, June 25 at 6 p.m. at both Duffy’s of PGA and Duffy’s of Ft. Lauderdale.  Festivities will include Panther alumni and personalities such as Bill Lindsay, Randy Moller, and Ray Sheppard in attendance to meet with fans. In addition, Stanley C. Panther and the Panthers Ice Dancers will also be on hand to interact with fans. Duffy’s will offer food and drink specials along with special prizes and giveaways during the event.

“Duffy’s is very excited about our new strategic partnership with the Florida Panthers and are committed to adding significant value to the partnership in the months and years ahead,” said Paul Emmett, President of Duffy’s Sports Grill.  ”Once again it is encouraging to be recognized as the Premier Sports Grill of South Florida.”

Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. Home to more than 200 events annually and the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, the BankAtlantic Center welcomes more than two million guests each year.

Duffy’s Sports Grill, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida operates 22 full-service, casual-dining restaurants, all of which are located between Melbourne and Ft. Lauderdale on the East Coast of Florida.  Duffy’s boasts a distinctly upscale sports environment complete with all the satellite programming available, over 50 TVs per location, and framed authentic sports memorabilia throughout each restaurant.  For more information about Duffy’s Sports Grill, please visit the company’s website at www.DuffysMVP.com.

Today, Taco Bell launched a national petition to the Federal Reserve calling on them to circulate more $2 bills to celebrate its all-new $2 Meal Deal. Consumers who crave value and enjoy the quirky nature of the $2 bill are asked to sign the petition on the “$2 Dollar Deal” tab at www.facebook.com/tacobell for Taco Bell’s “$2 Meal Deal Appeal” campaign.

The Federal Reserve prints all denominations according to demand. However, the $2 bill has not been in demand and production of the note is the lowest of U.S. paper money at less than one percent of all bills printed. The last year the $2 bill was printed was 2006. While older generations of Americans treat the $2 bill with reverence, giving them as gifts or keeping them for good luck, younger generations have yet to discover it.

The scarcity of the $2 bill in circulation and the lack of public awareness for it have inspired urban legends about its existence. The petition provides a unique way for fans of Taco Bell to be introduced to the $2 bill, or get reacquainted with it and unite in the new demand created by $2 Meal Deal. It also allows Taco Bell to engage and reward its 1.1 million Facebook fans for their continued brand loyalty.

Just three weeks after redefining value in the quick service restaurant industry (QSR) with the launch of the all-new $2 Meal Deal, Taco Bell launched the petition via a full-page letter to the Federal Reserve in today’s USA Today.

The letter reads in part, “This summer, more than ever, Americans are searching for value. Here’s our solution. Cooler than a $5. Twice as powerful as a $1. And thanks to our new $2 Meal Deal, only at Taco Bell can Americans get three items for two bucks. Which is why we’re writing to you today: Taco Bell is asking the Federal Reserve to circulate more $2 bills. As we head into the summer season, please help us better serve the American consumer by circulating more $2 bills. We’ll be happy to discuss this in-person. We’ll bring the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Doritos and Pepsi. You bring the Jefferson.”

“In being the first in the QSR industry to offer our customers 3 items for $2, we want to rally the nation around the new buying power of $2,” said David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp., Irvine, Calif. “The petition is not only a celebration of Taco Bell redefining the meaning of value in the industry, but the value of $2.”

While other QSRs tout dollar menus and combos at around $3, Taco Bell® is breaking through the clutter and redefining value. $2 Meal Deal, the latest centerpiece of Taco Bell’s industry-leading Why Pay More® Value Menu, is available in four combinations and will include one Taco Bell item, a bag of Doritos chips and a medium soda drink. Available at participating Taco Bell locations nationwide, $2 Meal Deal has a low price that won’t break the bank and variety that consumers enjoy via four different, enticing options.

• $2 Chicken Burrito Deal with Doritos chips and a medium drink
• $2 DOUBLE DECKER® Taco Deal with Doritos chips and a medium drink
• $2 GORDITA SUPREME® Deal with Doritos chips and a medium drink
• $2 Beefy 5-Layer Burrito Deal with Doritos chips and a medium drink

McDonald’s today announced Sherri Shepherd, television co-host of “The View,” will join nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner as a co-host for the 2010 McDonald’s 365Black Awards. Joyner has hosted the event for the past two years and was himself a recipient of the prestigious award in 2003.  Now in its seventh year, the McDonald’s 365Black Awards program annually recognizes African American leaders for their lifetime achievements and for their contributions to all Americans.

“Anytime you tell me that I can be a part of paying tribute to the accomplishments of African Americans, I want to be there,” said Shepherd. “Being a co-host of the 365Black Awards is a great opportunity for me to be a part of telling these individuals’ stories and I’m proud to be a part of this year’s event.”

Celebrities and dignitaries from across the country will join the duo in paying tribute to the honorees on Friday, July 2, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The 365Black Awards were launched in 2003 and are an extension of McDonald’s 365Black initiative, created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African Americans yearlong.  McDonald’s outreach under the 365Black platform includes the web site http://www.365black.com, as well as alliances and supporting events with organizations that provide opportunities for African Americans to succeed.

Football fans can expect the upcoming NFL season to be even better, thanks to the company known for its “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza.” Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA), which earlier this year entered into an agreement with the NFL as the Official Pizza Sponsor of Super Bowl XLIV, has signed a three-year agreement through the 2012 season as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowl XLV, XLVI and XLVII.

The deal is the largest in Papa John’s history and includes category exclusivity among delivery and carryout pizza brands.

“The National Football League is the most highly regarded and popular brand in sports, with a commitment to quality that matches perfectly with the high standards of Papa John’s,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Papa John’s has always prided itself as being the preferred pizza of football fans. This sponsorship takes it to the next level. This is by far the largest sports-related financial commitment that our brand has made and we believe this affiliation will greatly enhance our brand building efforts over the next three years.”

Earlier this year with its sponsorship of Super Bowl XLIV, Papa John’s recorded its largest single sales day in the brand’s history, selling more than 900,000 pizzas at its 2,800 U.S. restaurants. Extending the NFL sponsorship will propel the brand deeper into the mindset of NFL fans everywhere, beginning with 2010 NFL Kickoff in September all the way through Super Bowl XLIV on February 6, 2011 and beyond.

“We are excited to welcome the Papa John’s brand to the NFL as an official sponsor,” Keith Turner, NFL Senior Vice President of Media Sales & Sponsorship. “We have appreciated Papa John’s local sponsorships with NFL teams over the years. We welcomed them into the national fold at Super Bowl XLIV and are pleased to extend the relationship into a long-term sponsorship.”

As a sponsor, Papa John’s will be able to use NFL logos and trademarks in its advertising and marketing. These logos include the NFL shield logo, as well as those of marquee league events, such as the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and NFL Kickoff.

Papa John’s is also the Official Pizza of the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Redskins.

Today, McDonald’s announced an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming music artists to launch their careers on a national stage– an upcoming McDonald’s commercial. The program is in conjunction with Artists & Brands, a company created in partnership with Grammy Award-Winning Producer Rodney Jerkins.

“Music has always been an integral element to McDonald’s brand and our marketing,” said Marlena Peleo-Lazar, vice president and chief creative officer, McDonald’s USA. “Through our new relationship with Artists & Brands, we are energizing our musical heritage by creating unique opportunities for bright new artists to showcase their talents in our brand communication.”

Undiscovered artists can upload their original music to the Artists & Brands Web site (www.artistsandbrands.com) where McDonald’s marketing executives and the Artists & Brands team – helmed by Jerkins, music and marketing executive Ira Antelis and music attorney Daryl Jones – will review and select artists that truly shine for McDonald’s. Once an artist is selected, Artists & Brands will produce a track for a McDonald’s database of commercial-ready songs, as well as two additional singles that will be available for $.99 on www.artistsandbrands.com.

The site also serves as the hub for new and emerging artist bios, video profiles and “behind-the-scenes” footage from recording sessions, including I.B. Fokuz, a Chicago native who was the first artist selected by the Artists & Brands team. His original song, “Got It In the Bag,” is featured in “Woofer,” a McDonald’s commercial.

Beginning in June, Rodney Jerkins will select an “Artist of the Month,” who will be featured on www.artistsandbrands.com and receive industry counsel directly from Jerkins.

“As a music producer, I’m always interested in innovative ways to introduce new artists and their music. McDonald’s has an enormous and instant reach and I’m excited to work with them as they continue to bring their brand to life through music,” said Jerkins.

Since it opened in Midtown Miami, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill has been well known in the local “twitterverse” for its interaction with followers and diners. Responses are so immediate and personalized you have to wonder if someone’s hiding somewhere in the restaurant monitoring it all. No one is. The person behind the tweets, Joanna Cisowska, is based in New York at the corporate offices of SushiSamba and Sugarcane. And she makes it no secret that she’s a little crazy about Twitter, a tool she hadn’t used much before she started tweeting for Sugarcane.

Cisowska credits Lee Schrager with helping popularity on Twitter. “He came to the restaurant the second or third night we were open and he tweeted about the chicken. That started a huge conversation about the chicken on Twitter. So a big thank you to him.”

Here’s what she told Short Order about her Twitter responsibilities and why she won’t give up tweeting for Sugarcane. She made sure to specify that she does have a life.

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Today is National Donut Day, and Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, is celebrating by announcing the winning donut in the company’s second-annual “Create Dunkin’s Next Donut” contest while also giving people the sweet offer of a free donut.

The grand prize winning donut is “Monkey-see Monkey-donut,” a bananas foster-filled donut with chocolate icing, topped with Reese’s® Peanut Butter shavings, created by donut devotee Rachel Davis of Sharon, Massachusetts. Rachel wins $12,000 and her donut will be sold in participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide beginning this fall.

To commemorate National Donut Day and the announcement of the grand prize winning donut, today participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the country will offer guests a free donut of choice with the purchase of any beverage, limited one per customer while supplies last. National Donut Day, held the first Friday of June each year, was founded by the Chicago Salvation Army more than 70 years ago.

According to Rachel, creating her winning donut didn’t require much monkeying around. “In my opinion there is no better treat than a frozen chocolate covered banana, so why not bring that delicious taste to Dunkin’ Donuts?” she said. “I think everyone will enjoy this perfect combination!”

Rachel was selected as one of 12 contest finalists from nearly 90,000 donut contest creations submitted online. As a finalist, she received $1,200 and traveled to Dunkin’ Donuts’ University in Braintree, Massachusetts last month to compete in a bake-off competition before Dunkin’ Donuts’ culinary team and company leaders. The winning donut was selected based on the vote of the bake-off judging panel, as well as America’s online vote.

“We’re pretty small and nimble. Up until [four] weeks ago, I was a one-man show for our digital marketing efforts,” said Natalie Bass, Houlihan’s digital marketing manager. Last month, it brought in a contract worker to assist.

With 100 restaurants, Houlihan’s competes with the likes of Applebee’s, which has more than 2,000 restaurants, and T.G.I. Friday’s, which has more than 900 restaurants – and presumably bigger marketing budgets.

Developing a digital marketing strategy at Houlihan’s has meant making tough choices. Houlihan’s did not plunge into developing a branded Facebook page or Twitter account – it just launched @houlihans and plans to roll out a national Houlihan’s page on Facebook in the coming week. The company’s initial social efforts centered on an invite-only online community, called HQ, established in January 2008. And a year later, Houlihan’s expanded into mobile promotions with its Foody Call Club.

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Wynonna Judd are pleased to celebrate the #7 debut of the exclusive CD Love Heals on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. This CD is the latest release in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program.

The twelve-song CD, now available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at crackerbarrel.com, features a collection of Wynonna’s top singles and three other tracks that had not been available for sale until now. One of the new tracks, Let Your Light Shine, is a song that Wynonna and her teenaged daughter sang every day before school, and it speaks to the importance of being true to oneself.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each CD is being donated to Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that assists wounded service men and women and their families.

“I’m honored to be part of this Cracker Barrel project that supports the service men and women who have given so much so that Americans can have the lives that we do,” said Wynonna.

“Our congratulations and thanks to Wynonna on the success of this project,” said Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing. “Wynonna’s commitment to our service men and women is as clear as her talent, and Cracker Barrel is pleased that this CD, Love Heals, has done so well in its very first week. This strong performance is yet another example of Cracker Barrel’s growing role as a non-traditional music retailer,” he added, “and Cracker Barrel is glad to continue its multi-year support of Wounded Warrior Project.”

“Wounded Warrior Project is deeply grateful to Wynonna and Cracker Barrel for their ongoing support,” said Steve Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. “The funds raised through this partnership will support our injured warriors who have given so much for our country and help us ensure this generation of veterans is the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history.”

For many diners, the restaurant experience begins on the Web. That’s where they search for reviews and book reservations. Now they can do both in one spot.

Yelp users can now reserve a table while visiting a restaurant’s profile page on the popular review site, the San Francisco company said. That’s because Yelp is joining forces with reservations site OpenTable.com, which works with more than 13,000 restaurants nationwide.

Yelp users do not have to have an OpenTable account to make a reservation. But if they use the same e-mail address to create a Yelp account as an OpenTable account, they will automatically collect OpenTable points even if they are not logged in to their OpenTable account.

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McDonald’s will continue its long time association with Europe’s renowned national team competition and will be part of UEFA EURO 2012 and UEFA EURO 2016. McDonald’s and UEFA have worked together since 1992 and todays announcement said that the sponsorship as the official restaurant and UEFA EUROTOP partner will cover all competitions under the EUROTOP programme until 2017. McDonald’s joins adidas, Castrol, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia and Carlsberg agreements as an official UEFA sponsor.

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Father’s Day is just around the corner and if Dad is growing tired of the same ho-hum gifts (e.g., aftershave lotion, flannel shirts and paperweights) and you want to beef up the occasion, Lazy Dog Café has compiled the ultimate checklist to ensure a doggone good time: 

* Beer – Dads can enjoy Lazy Dog’s handcrafted beers brewed by Firestone Walker – 2 pints for $2 – and a free limited edition Lazy Dog Café pint glass while supplies last. The popular pale ale, honey blonde and amber ale varieties will be available.

* Sports – Numerous giant hi-def screens will deliver live Dodgers and Angels action as well as the explosive World Cup Games and dear ole Dad will be able to enjoy it all at once. 

* Great Food — No matter what kind of cuisine Dad loves, he will find something to sink his teeth into with Lazy Dog’s eclectic menu of American fare with Italian, Chinese, Mediterranean and South American influences.  A favorite among dads is the premium Gold Angus, boneless New York steak.  The 14 oz strip comes charbroiled and is served with mashed potatoes, confetti veggies bleu cheese butter and a burgundy wine sauce for $23.95.

* Keep Kids Happy – Lazy Dog Café offers just the right recipe for keeping kids entertained.  The Big Dog Menu – a selection of items from the regular menu served in smaller portions – is for those 12 and under with items ranging from $5.25 to $7.95. A Puppy Dog Menu for those 8 and under comes with a beverage and build-your-own dog collar dessert for $4.95.

“Being a dad myself, I think that Lazy Dog Café offers just the right recipe for a perfect Father’s Day,” said Chris Simms, founder of the popular restaurants.  “There’s no dress code, no dish duty and something for the entire family.”

All 7 Lazy Dog Café locations throughout Southern California will offer the special Father’s Day special June 20th.

Lazy Dog Café is open seven days a week and brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.  Lazy Dog Café is one of the first restaurants to offer an Eco-To-Go option as part of its Green Initiative to help reduce waste, save trees, lessen our dependence on petroleum products (plastic utensils are such items) and offer practices designed to protect Mother Earth.

Rare is the restaurant that doesn’t have a website these days. Even rarer is finding a good one. Elegantly designed and / or witty sites that deliver accurate information swiftly are at a premium. Earlier this month I had to gently point out to a Michelin-starred venue that someone had misspelled ‘restaurant’ in 28-point font on their homepage. That is how seriously many restaurants treat their websites.

Precisely what errors, on a website, might put you – the potential customer – off, may well be a matter of taste. Personally, I can tolerate the odd spelling mistake and, even, the occasional out-of-date menu. Neither inspires confidence, but restaurants are hectic places. Peripheral details can be overlooked. Plus, I am not sure there is a direct correlation between someone’s ability to cook my tea and their punctuation. They’re very different skills.

More damaging, to my mind, are websites which whether by omission or clunky design lack basic information. Lee Rosy’s Tea is a nice cafe and Aumbry an interesting restaurant, but how would you know, when neither website carries a menu?

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Over the last year or so, many, many restaurants have opened up in downtown Manhattan with a gimmicky concept or menus that revolve around one item. Although many have done very well, received acclaim, and continue to prosper, others have been forced to either change their concept several times over to appeal to their customers (Permanent Brunch), or shutter completely once things didn’t work out as anticipated (T-Poutine). After weighing the successes and the failures, we now present a few tips for making your gimmicky downtown restaurant concept work.

1) Serve Food that Drunk People Want to Eat:

People have a lot of dining options in the East Village and Lower East Side, so if you’re going to open up shop, you need a strong instant draw, something truly satisfying — the kind of food that drunk people fixate on. Here’s where a place like This Little Piggy succeeds — yes, it’s hard to get a good roast beef sandwich topped with cheese whiz anywhere in this city, but it’s almost impossible to resist the smell of that fresh cooked beef and processed cheese when you stumble home from one of the EVill’s many fine drinking establishments.

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Domino’s is the latest big brand to incorporate Foursquare as a promotions tool. The Ann Arbor, MI-based company has launched an initiative in the U.K. where customers who use the geo-social application can earn free pizzas by accruing “check-ins” at store locations, according to a report yesterday in New Media Age.

“Check-ins” record how many times people use the mobile app to show they’ve arrived at a retail store, nightclub, restaurant, etc. When patrons check in more than anyone else and become “mayor” of a Domino’s location, they could get a free pizza. The quick-serve giant’s 553 U.K. and Ireland locations will reward a pizza to the current mayors once a week on a designated day.

In addition, every Foursquare user will get a complimentary side dish when spending more than 10 British pounds. Domino’s piloted the program in a group of stores before deciding to roll it out nationwide, according to the NMA article. The pizza brand’s U.K. digital agency, Vexed, reportedly orchestrated the deal.

Whether or not Domino’s plans to roll out similar Foursquare promotions in the U.S. remains to be seen.

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Pizza chain Papa John’s International is conducting a web-based contest encouraging consumers to create a new pizza for its menu. The effort began May 25.

The company is urging consumers to share recipes for the chance to make a new menu item in its “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge.” It is promoting the contest through online ads and its Facebook page. The creative was developed in-house, but Facebook app developer Stuzo worked on the social networking application.

Papa John’s is also e-mailing its database, running banner ads, TV ads and ads on pizza boxes.

Papa John’s primary goal is to put the focus on its “Better ingredients, better pizza” brand positioning, said Melissa Richards-Person, senior director of advertising and promotions at Papa John’s.

“We wanted to do that in a way that was engaging and authentic, that would give consumers a reason to want to learn about our ingredients,” she said.

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Jim DeLong, a teacher at Bret Harte Middle School in San Jose, Calif., is a true inspiration to his students.  Just ask Grace Lee, who was awarded the grand prize in Olive Garden’s 14th-annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest for her entry, recognizing his unique teaching style and enthusiasm for education.  

Lee’s essay was chosen from more than 11,000 entries written by students in first through 12th grade who were asked to “Describe a teacher who has inspired you in school and tell how he or she has impacted your life.”

In her essay, Lee, a senior at Leland High School in San Jose, paints a vivid picture of her former English teacher and the special way he engaged her and her peers in their studies.  ”If your English instructor leaps onto desks waving yardsticks, gives weight-lifting demos using textbooks, and feigns madness as the speaker from the ‘Tell-Tale Heart’, you know that he is either very interesting or absolutely insane,” Lee wrote.  ”I was in awe of this man.  For most of my life I was an introvert, apathetic towards education in general.  But, when Mr. DeLong actively combated my ignorance with great vigor, I couldn’t help but feel more animated in his class.  It is because of him that English is my favorite subject, that I developed a more positive view of school, [and] that I started participating in class.  His enthusiasm is contagious.”

The essays are reviewed by the Quill and Scroll Society of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Iowa.  According to one of the judges, Lee’s essay was “beautifully written with an obvious respect and regard for her instructor.  She captured the quirks and caring that make Mr. DeLong so important to her, in a way that any reader can understand.”

As Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales grand prize winner, Lee will receive a $2,500 savings bond, a trip with her family to New York City and dinner at an Olive Garden in Times Square.

“At Olive Garden, we’re focused on delighting every guest and having a positive impact on the community,” said Terry Stanley, Olive Garden’s executive vice president of marketing.  “The educators highlighted in these students’ essays are an inspiration to us all, and we recognize them for making such meaningful differences in the lives of so many children.”

Olive Garden also named a Pasta Tales winner in each of 12 grade categories.  These winners each receive a $500 savings bond and dinner with their family at their local Olive Garden:

Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with more than 700 restaurants, more than 87,000 employees and $3.3 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants Inc., the world’s largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company.

Smashburger and Coca-Cola™ are celebrating National Burger Day, Friday, May 28 and delicious burgers, by spreading its burger love across the country. Smashburger fans have the chance to receive a golden Smashticket and earn FREE Smashburgers, Smashsides and Coca-Cola™ fountain drinks for one year. Burger lovers can head to their local Smashburger location on National Burger Day, place an order for their favorite Smashburger meal and test their luck. One lucky fan in each of Smashburger’s 67 stores will be rewarded with a golden Smashticket and a year’s worth of free, delicious and juicy burgers. For official details visit, www.nationalsmashburgermonth.com.

Named for the cooking method used to create the perfect burger, Smashburgers are a one-third or half-pound ball of beef smashed on a flat grill to sear in all the juicy flavor. To further the “better burger” experience, Smashburgers are served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments.

Smashburger, a fast-casual restaurant, is known for its savory burgers and also serves up delicious Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and Smashsalads, with sides like veggie frites and rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries. Burger lovers can pair their meals with beer, wine, Häagen-Dazs shakes, root-beer floats and Coca-Cola™ products.

“National Burger Day is a chance for us to celebrate our delicious Smashburgers with our fans in every Smashburger location,” says Smashburger Founder Tom Ryan. “We’re excited to take this opportunity to reward one of our lucky fans with a golden Smashticket good for free Smashburgers, Smashsides and Coca-Cola™ fountain drinks for one year.”

About Smashburger

Denver-based Smashburger is a fast-casual restaurant designed to be every city’s favorite burger place. Developed and owned by private equity and concept-development firm Consumer Capital Partners (CCP), Smashburger develops both corporate and joint venture partner stores. The company has sold franchise agreements that will total more than 500 locations over the next five years. The corporate, joint venture, and franchise development deals are part of Smashburger’s plan to open 500-plus restaurants across the country, 100-125 stores will be open nationwide by the end of 2010. Smashburger was named a 2009 Hot Concepts! award winner by Nation’s Restaurant News.

About Consumer Capital Partners

Denver-based Consumer Capital Partners (CCP) is an innovative private investment and concept development firm focused on multi-unit retail businesses, primarily in the restaurant, liquor, food, and leisure industries. CCP has deep experience in the fields of private equity, brand, concept and product development, and strategic consulting.

About Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.

Ask Michael Sangregorio how his restaurant ended up on all the top 10 listings that matter and he’ll tell you getting the word out has been easy. In fact, it costs him only $20 a month.

The owner of Local Kitchen & Wine Bar in Toronto says getting on board with a subscription-based email marketing service to manage his mailing lists, distribute his newsletters and crunch some numbers has proven to be a very smart investment. “We didn’t do much besides sending an email newsletter and opening the door. It’s been hard for customers to get a seat ever since.”

He started his email campaign a few months before the restaurant’s launch just to generate interest. “Every day, people were coming by to ask about us, so we told them to sign up for the newsletter. We got 1,000 subscribers.”

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It’s time to unthink KFC — again. This week, the chain is rolling out its first global tagline, “so good,” which marks its fifth change in ad direction in almost as many years.

But this time, KFC plans to stick to its strategy. “We’ve been very impatient,” said Javier Benito, KFC’s exec VP-marketing and food innovation. “When you look at brands that have been with the same taglines for many years, they do well because they’re consistent.” He cited Nike and Coca-Cola as standouts.

KFC is struggling at home, but growing in Asia. The company believes one global message will leverage its scale, and the tagline itself works with a wide variety of products.

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Yum! Brands Inc., the Louisville-based fast-food company that signed on as a presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2006, hopes to continue that sponsorship after its five-year agreement expired with this year’s Derby.

Jonathan Blum, chief public affairs officer for the world’s largest restaurant company, said on May 20 that Yum! wants to renew its sponsorship, and his company and Churchill Downs Inc. have begun discussions.

“It will really come down to negotiation, and what we find acceptable,” Blum said. “I believe you’d find mutual interest to re-up on both ends; we intend to re-up. We enjoy the sponsorship and enjoy our association with the Kentucky Derby. Hopefully, Churchill Downs feels the same way.”

Blum said Yum! pursued the sponsorship in order to grow its brand among investors. Many people are familiar with the Yum! Brand franchises, which include Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, and A&W Restaurants, but are less familiar with Yum! as the corporate identity of that group. The presenting sponsorship, which was the first in the Derby’s history, included signage throughout Churchill Downs and seven 30-second commercials during NBC’s broadcast of the race.

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As the nation appreciates American service men and women this Memorial Day weekend, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is honored to have five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Wynonna Judd share in its efforts to support Wounded Warrior Project. Wynonna’s new CD and exclusive line of retail products have arrived at Cracker Barrel, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each item will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project. Additionally, from now until May 31st, Cracker Barrel will double the portion of proceeds donation for every Wynonna and Wounded Warrior Project retail item sold, including the CD.

“For several years, Cracker Barrel has supported Wounded Warrior Project and the organization’s efforts to honor and empower injured service men and women who have returned to the United States,” said Peter Keiser, Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel. “Given Wynonna’s long history of philanthropy, we were confident that she would share our commitment to support wounded warriors who are making the transition back to civilian life.”

On sale now at all Cracker Barrel locations, Wynonna’s new Love Heals CD features a collection of her top singles and three other tracks that had not been available for sale until now.  One of the new tracks, Let Your Light Shine, is a song that Wynonna and her young daughter would sing every day before school, and it speaks to the importance of being true to oneself.  

“Let Your Light Shine is a real affirmation song for men and women,” said Wynonna, a multi-platinum Curb Records recording artist and best-selling author. “So much of what we see in the world is not very life-giving.  This is a very life-giving song.  The message is be who you were meant to be.”

In addition to the Love Heals CD, Cracker Barrel has introduced a collection of retail products inspired by Wynonna’s creativity and spirit.  Wynonna helped design the products that she believes will help women who balance the responsibilities of family, career and their own personal enrichment. The Wynonna retail products include shirts, mugs, writing journals, wallets and other accessories. 

Cracker Barrel is also proud to feature a new collection of Wounded Warrior Project retail products including hats, bandanas, t-shirts and mugs.  Similar to the Wynonna line of products, Cracker Barrel will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of any of these items to Wounded Warrior Project. In fact, from now until May 31st, Cracker Barrel will double the portion of proceeds donation for every Wynonna and Wounded Warrior Project retail item sold, including the CD.

“Wounded Warrior Project is deeply grateful to Wynonna and Cracker Barrel for their ongoing support,” said Steve Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. ”The funds raised through this partnership will support our injured warriors who have given so much for our country and help us ensure this generation of veterans is the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history.”

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants.  Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 594 company-owned locations in 41 states.  Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.  

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.

About Wynonna Judd

5-time GRAMMY Award winning artist, Wynonna Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds.  On top of that amazing feat, she also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 25-year career. In addition to her countless musical achievements, Wynonna became a New York Times best-selling author in 2005 with the release of her long-awaited autobiography, Coming Home to Myself, released in conjunction with her live CD and DVD: Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime.  

Wynonna recently announced she plans to reunite with her mother, Naomi, for a final Judds tour in 2010. She is also presently touring in support of her critically acclaimed seventh solo studio album, Sing: Chapter 1, an eclectic assortment of standards paying homage to all the different genres and songs that have formed the soundtrack to her life.

Carl’s Jr.^® and Hardee’s^® restaurants have partnered with Coca-Cola to make everyone a winner – not just once, but twice. The My Coke Rewards^® campaign launches today at Hardee’s and is already underway at Carl’s Jr. With each purchase of a large fountain soda, guests will receive a specially marked cup that includes two offers: My Coke Rewards points that can be redeemed for cool stuff online; plus a peel-off coupon offer for a free or discounted item for the guest’s next visit.

Coca-Cola will award more than 50 million My Coke Rewards points during the promotion, including two grand prizes of 10,000 points each. With My Coke Rewards points on every cup, guests can collect points to redeem online at mycokerewards.com. The rewards pool is constantly updated so keep checking back for the latest offerings.

Additionally, each 42-ounce promotional cup will have a coupon offer good for a free or discounted item on the guest’s next visit to Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s.

“Everyone really does win with the My Coke Rewards promotion at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s,” said Steve Lemley, senior vice president of marketing at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. “Our guests have been enjoying Coke along with our big, delicious burgers for years. Now they’ll be rewarded with more than just great tastes, they’ll be able to score My Coke Rewards points and Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s food and beverage offers. This really is just another way for us to say thanks to our guests for coming in and for coming back.”

Launched in 2006 and now with over 14 million members, My Coke Rewards is the No. 1 beverage Web site in the United States. On average, 20,000 rewards are redeemed daily on the site, which is seen by 4.5 million unique visitors every month.

Headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif., CKE Restaurants, Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CKR.” As of the end of fiscal year 2010, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,141 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 16 countries, including 1,224 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,905 Hardee’s restaurants.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.

Hot tech IPOs have been in short supply for years. Even a once-sizzling offering like virtualization software maker VMWare (VMW) trades well below its record high of $125. Some smaller, focused Web-based companies have had success, especially OpenTable (OPEN), which lets customers book restaurant reservations online.

OpenTable is the best-performing initial public offering in the U.S. since underwriting of new stock issues began a slow recovery early last year. It’s currently valued more than twice its $20 offering price a year ago, rallying steadily on four consecutive quarters of stronger-than-expected earnings.

OpenTable is small but growing. Analysts expect its revenue to increase 30% this year to $89 million and earnings per share to rise to 52 cents from 33 cents.

So OpenTable looks like an encouraging sign that a well-managed company with a strong market share in a growing niche can have a bright future — even in today’s volatile stock market. But that may not be the whole story. Because last week, on the one-year anniversary of OpenTable’s debut on the stock market, it became clear that the company might be facing some tough competition on its turf.

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Seattle’s Best Coffee revealed a redesigned logo this week. Unfortunately, its ambiguous look brings to mind a lot more than just a cup of joe.

The simplified design seems rather generic, say some of the kinder observers. Other pundits are calling it a bowl of cereal filled with tears. But the harshest critics say the new look seems more appropriate for a blood donation center.

“Seattle’s Best Blood Bank,” wrote one snarky blog commentator. “High school art students could do a better job at designing a logo,” proclaimed another. Ouch.

A poll from The Seattle Times revealed a whopping 68 percent of over 2,000 respondents thought Seattle’s Best Coffee should “try again.”

In response, Seattle’s Best, which Starbucks acquired in 2003, says it didn’t intend for its new look to be fancy or visually arresting. According to a spokesperson for the company, the logo “has to live in all kinds of environments.” The understated look may be intentionally generic, as she says they “want it to be a universal sign for good coffee someday.”

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In honor of Fathers’ Day, Benihana Inc., the nation’s leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, is offering dads the opportunity to learn how to cook teppanyaki style and display their skills for their family with its “Be The Chef” program.

“This Fathers’ Day you can give a gift that dad is not only going to love, but a gift that provides the whole family an unforgettable dining experience,” said Richard C. Stockinger, president and chief executive officer of Benihana. “‘Be The Chef’ is a unique Fathers’ Day gift that allows dads to be center stage, showing him you appreciate everything he does for the family throughout the year.”

The “Be The Chef” package includes a training session with a Benihana chef where dads learn how to cook teppanyaki style on the hibachi grills; a full Benihana teppanyaki performance by dad; dinner for dad and three guests; an official Certificate of Completion certifying dad as a Teppanyaki Master; and a complimentary souvenir photo of dad that he can download and share with friends and family.

Dinner includes Benihana’s “Splash ‘n Meadow” which features hibachi steak and shrimp, vegetable fried rice, onion soup, salad, hibachi vegetables, homemade dipping sauces, steamed rice, Haagen-Dazs ice cream and Japanese hot green tea. On sale at participating locations from May 17 through June 21, the “Be The Chef” package for four people is $140. Additional guests can be added for only $35 per person, and Benihana is offering a special price of $250 for eight guests.

Headquartered in Miami, Benihana Inc.  is the nation’s leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants with 97 restaurants nationwide, including 63 Benihana restaurants, nine Haru sushi restaurants, and 25 RA Sushi restaurants. Famous for its entertaining chefs who present and prepare delicious Teppanyaki entrees at hibachi tables, as well as sushi and other Japanese favorites, Benihana introduced Japanese food to America in 1964. RA Sushi offers a subtly sexy and energetic experience with a hip ambience, and Haru is an urban, upscale sushi concept. In addition, 21 franchised Benihana restaurants are operating in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Family mealtime is more fun at McDonald’s with McDonald’s great-tasting Chicken McNuggets^®, made with white meat chicken, and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) Shrek Forever After™, the final chapter, in theaters May 21^†. Shrek and friends are back at McDonald’s, and this month, families can purchase and share new, limited-time Shrek Forever After-themed McNuggets of Fun Packs and Shrek collectible glassware and can gain access to unique digital experiences with fun rewards. Kids can also “Shrek Out” their Happy Meal^® with Apple Dippers and low-fat Milk Jugs featuring Shrek-themed graphics.

McDonald’s Celebrates Shrek for the Whole Family

Each 20-pc. McNuggets of Fun Pack and 10-pc. Chicken McNuggets will include a McNugget™ of Fun Code that unlocks fun family games and rewards online at www.mcdonalds.com/mcnuggets. By entering a code, families receive a reward like 25 prints from photo-sharing site Snapfish by HP, a one-night Redbox DVD movie rental or a Shrek flash mini game pack from Activision.

Shrek enthusiasts can also collect four unique Shrek–themed glasses available for $1.99 each with any food purchase at participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants for a limited time while supplies last^‡. The double-sided glasses show the Shrek characters in both a familiar way and in a way never before seen and include an additional McNugget of Fun Code for access to the Shrek online games and rewards.

Happy Meal is More Fun with Shrek

To help make eating fruits and dairy more fun, kids can “Shrek Out” their Happy Meal^® with Apple Dippers and low-fat Milk Jugs featuring Shrek themed graphics. In 2007, McDonald’s featured Shrek on the packaging of Happy Meal items including low-fat Milk Jugs and Apple Dippers and have since seen an increase in the number of these items sold. In addition, as a supporter of Produce for Better Health Foundation’s Fruits & Veggies—More Matters^® national health campaign and their Campaign for Children’s Health, McDonald’s now includes the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters logo on the Shrek-themed Apple Dippers packaging. To learn more, visit www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org.

Timed to the Shrek promotion, McDonald’s unveiled “Stage M,” an action packed, interactive online experience for kids featuring new music videos recorded by popular kids’ artists. The videos – found online at www.happymeal.com – use colorful animation and music to engage kids in the taste and appeal of fruits and vegetables.

Talking Shrek Happy Meal toys (available from May 14 – June 10) and distinctive Shrek character watches (available from June 11 – 24) are also part of the excitement, while supplies last, at participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 19 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming feature film releases for 2010 are Shrek Forever After and Megamind.

About Produce for Better Health Foundation

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) fruit and vegetable education foundation. Since 1991, PBH has been working hard to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health. PBH achieves success through industry and government collaboration, first with the 5 A Day program and now with the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® public health initiative. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is the nation’s largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military. To learn more, visit www.pbhfoundation.org and www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

Dairy Queen continues the celebration of the 25th birthday of its iconic Blizzard Treat online with the launch of Operation Happy Birthday, a video promotion that runs from now through Aug. 1.

Through Operation Happy Birthday anyone 18 years or older with a camera, camcorder or mobile device is invited to record and submit a video clip that’s no longer than one minute with an original, creative or funny version of an individual alone, with family, friends or a pet singing, rapping, rhyming, dancing or playing an instrument to the tune of happy birthday to the Blizzard Treat. No purchase is necessary.

“Operation Happy Birthday extends the online reach of our 25th birthday of the Blizzard celebration,” said Michael Keller, chief brand officer for International Dairy Queen, Inc. “As we travel the U.S. and Canada in our Blizzardmobile handing out free new Mini Blizzard Treats as part of the 25th birthday, we see the excitement for the brand. So even if you can’t make it to one of the parties on our 25-market Blizzardmobile tour, you can still share in the experience online and one way is through Operation Happy Birthday.”

Participants who submit a video judged to be in the top 100 will receive a $25 Dairy Queen gift card and the video will be posted on the Dairy Queen blog and the Blizzard and Dairy Queen Facebook page. One video also will be selected for a coveted spot on the DairyQueen.com homepage.

Videos will be judged on creativity, originality, adherence to theme and the 60 second time limit, and the amount of page views generated after the video is posted to YouTube.com. An entry form, rules and regulations are available at http://blog.dairyqueen.com/blizzard/operationhappybirthday/.

“We are looking forward to some really fun, creative, innovative entries,” Keller said. “This is a big year for Dairy Queen and we want to share the celebration with our customers in every way we can.”

Operation Happy Birthday officially ends Aug. 1, however throughout the duration of the promotion, Dairy Queen will showcase entries on the Dairy Queen YouTube channel, Facebook fan page and Dairy Queen blog.

International Dairy Queen, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen stores in the United States, Canada and other foreign countries. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

Dean Ogan, owner of Rocky Top Hospitality, has announced that Bogart’s American Grill, Michael Dean’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, The Red Room Tapas Loungeand The Twisted Fork Grill, Market & Bar will participate in Triangle Restaurant Week from Monday, May 17 through Sunday, May 23. The Triangle Restaurant Week is a celebration of culinary excellence throughout the Triangle. The Rocky Top restaurants will offer lunch for $15 and dinner for $25 per person. The price does not include beverages, taxes or tips.

“I am pleased to announce that four of our restaurants will participate in Triangle Restaurant Week,” said Ogan. “The restaurant week menu is a great way for us to offer a variety of dishes to our guests.”

Rocky Top Hospitality has been devoted to improving Raleigh, North Carolina’s local dining scene since 1998, when its first restaurant opened.  Michael Dean’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar was the culmination of years of planning by Dean Ogan. Seven other restaurants have now opened under the Rocky Top Hospitality name and include The Twisted Fork Grill, Market & Bar, The Red Room Tapas Lounge, Bogart’s American Grill, Hi5, The Mash House Brewery & Chophouse, Tribeca Tavern, and 1705 Prime Catering & Events, a thriving events facility and catering business. Rocky Top Hospitality always builds restaurants from the menu-out, so the emphasis is always on the food and how to create an experience you cannot find anywhere else.

Restaurant promotion is going high-tech.

Franchise restaurants have long tried to drum up business on the local level with newspaper ads and with mass mailings of coupons and other promotional offers.

But now franchisers have a host of new ways to drive business to individual stores, thanks largely to the explosion in recent years of technologies that recognize a user’s location.

Among others: Burger King Holdings Inc. is test-marketing an iPhone application that helps users find its restaurants and view local deals, and Quizno’s Corp. and Applebee’s International Inc. are readying similar apps.

Mooyah, a regional burger franchise in Texas, is offering location-specific giveaways and specials to its followers on Twitter, while Papa Murphy’s International Inc., a pizza franchise based in Vancouver, Wash., with restaurants across the country, plans to offer location-specific deals to customers nationwide by using technology that recognizes the whereabouts of visitors to the company’s website.

“It’s like modern-day ZIP Code marketing,” says Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic Inc., a food-industry research firm in Chicago.

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The humble 144-character tweet is changing the way we eat–even at lunch trucks.

A plethora of food trucks serving hip and exotic cuisines are rolling into cities and towns across the country, and they’re using social media tools like Twitter and Facebook to advertise their gastronomic offerings and provide up-to-the-minute location information.

In the Los Angeles area, Kogi BBQ’s trucks have nearly 63,000 followers on Twitter and more than 10,000 on Facebook who come for short rib tacos and Kimchi in quesadillas.

Seattle’s Skillet Street Food “airstream trailer,” which serves up bacon jam and burgers made from grass-fed beef, has more than 6,000 Twitter and Facebook followers.

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