Best Restaurant Marketing Ideas for 2026
This guide outlines restaurant marketing ideas that help operators attract nearby customers, convert demand faster, and strengthen long-term retention.
Apr 16, 2026
This guide outlines restaurant marketing ideas that help operators attract nearby customers, convert demand faster, and strengthen long-term retention.
Apr 16, 2026
A clear host training process helps restaurants manage greetings, waitlists, reservations, seating decisions, and guest communication more consistently.
Apr 15, 2026
Chipotle reshapes loyalty with Rewards on Repeat, blending in-store promotions, staff incentives, and simpler redemption to boost traffic.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Salah Ait Mokhtar on Unsplash
A refined look at Papa Murphy’s strategy as MTY guides a cautious turnaround amid a crowded pizza landscape—digital play, local marketing, and a new Detroit-style offering.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Sergio Mena Ferreira on Unsplash
Mo’ Bettahs leaves Kansas City as it pivots to a PE-backed national expansion to Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Kate Trysh on Unsplash
Applebee’s O-M-Cheese Burger fuses spectacle with value, driving social buzz and foot traffic—a signal for the skillet-cheese moment in casual dining.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Diego Mattevi on Unsplash
GoTo Foods taps Misra and Lambert to harmonize digital momentum with disciplined development across seven brands, aiming for stronger guest experiences and franchisee economics.
Apr 16, 2026
Bojangles launches Bo’s Chicken Rippers in an eight-week pilot, turning bites into a hands-on, sauce-forward experience with interactive, tear-apart slabs.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Jim Sosengphet on Unsplash
Popeyes teams with One Piece for a limited menu and merch drop, blending bold flavors with anime fandom to boost traffic and loyalty.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by dedy kurniawan on Unsplash
A close look at Jersey Mike’s rapid expansion, leadership shift, and international push under Blackstone’s ownership.
Apr 16, 2026
Explore the use of poison pills as a strategic defense mechanism against activist investors and how they impact shareholder value and corporate strategies.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
Poison pills, also known as shareholder rights plans, have evolved over the years from being a preventative measure to a reactive strategy in response to specific threats like hostile takeovers by activist investors. In the past, during the 1990s, many Fortune 100 companies routinely adopted poison pills as a proactive defense mechanism. These pills were designed to dilute the holdings of an acquiring entity once it bought a certain threshold of shares, making takeovers more expensive and challenging.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
In the contemporary corporate landscape, poison pills are more tailored and situation-specific. Companies are strategically using them to combat activist investors like Biglari Capital. By setting specific triggers and durations, boards can respond swiftly to perceived threats without committing to prolonged defensive measures. Limited-duration pills are now prevalent, with many lasting less than a year, offering flexibility to boards.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
While poison pills are often criticized as anti-shareholder tactics, they serve as a crucial tool for boards to maximize shareholder value. Keith Gottfried, a seasoned advisor on poison pills, emphasizes that these strategies do not hinder legitimate acquisition offers but rather prevent hostile takeovers that undervalue the company. By giving boards time to enact strategic plans or consider better offers, poison pills safeguard shareholder interests and corporate growth.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
Activist investors may challenge poison pills in court, but success is rare, especially when the threshold to trigger the pill is reasonable. Delaware courts have historically upheld the legality of poison pills, assuming boards act in good faith to protect shareholders. Long-term pills, requiring shareholder approval, face resistance from institutional investors and proxy firms due to their perceived hindrance to potential deals.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
The prevalence of activist investors in the market necessitates companies, especially in the restaurant sector like Jack in the Box, to consider having poison pills readily available as a defense mechanism. While not universally welcomed, these tools offer essential protection in an increasingly volatile market, allowing boards to navigate challenges and prioritize sustainable corporate growth.