Menu Power Play
Menu Power Play
Menu Power Play
The Kraft Hockeyville menu campaign helps restaurants drive traffic
We asked two restaurant brands, Firkin Pubs and Wing’n It Restaurants, to share their experiences running the Foodservice extension of Kraft Hockeyville, the Big Game Giveaway (Smitty’s and Jungle Jim’s also participated).
Both report an increase in traffic—including repeat traffic from guests returning because of the promotional menu. “The campaign brought in a lot of regular customers more often,” says Dave Godfrey, Director of Culinary with Firkin, which boasts 28 units in North America. “They went straight for the items on the Kraft Hockeyville menu.” Wing’n It, with 16 stores across Canada, also reports huge success. “I was a little surprised how well the menu was received,” says David Deane, President. “It did great for us. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
KRAFT Hockeyville on the Menu
Kraft Hockeyville is an annual restaurant promotion that parallels the retail contest. In the retail contest—sponsored by Kraft Heinz, the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association—consumers vote for a chance to help their communites to win big money for hockey arena improvements as well as the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game in their rink. In the restaurant promotion, operators run a Kraft Hockeyville menu—limited-time offerings (LTOs) that feature Kraft Heinz products. When guests order from that special menu, they’re entered for a chance to win tickets to a Stanley Cup finals game. “It’s a fantastic way to deepen ties with the community—everyone here loves hockey so the menu creates a lot of excitement,” says Deane. Celebrating community and Canada’s love of the game makes for a winning combination. “We were happy to have our brand connected to Kraft Hockeyville,” says Godfrey “We jumped at the opportunity.”
It was our most successful LTO menu ever.—Dave Godfrey, Firkin Pubs
Competitive Advantage
Both restaurants featured Kraft Heinz products—from Heinz Barbecue Sauce and Kraft Cheddar Cheese Curds to Kraft Dressings. Firkin and Wing’n It outline reasons why the Kraft Hockeyville promotion was a success:
- increased traffic
- built menu momentum
- strengthened community ties
- developed great recipes through Kraft Heinz partnership
The Cheesesteak Grinder at Firkin featured Texas-style shaved brisket, smoky Heinz Texas Style BBQ Sauce, Jack cheese and grilled onions and peppers.
Wing’n It’s popular Body Check Mac & Cheese, starred Kraft Signatures White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese, bacon, bread crumbs, pulled pork with Richardson Ultimate Barbecue Sauce and crispy onion straws.
Firkin’s Hat-Trick Flatbread boasted slow-roasted pulled pork in a Heinz Carolina Style BBQ Sauce with cheddar and Jack cheeses along with pickles, slaw and a chipotle-ranch drizzle.
This Hat Trick Poutine on the Kraft Hockeyville menu at Wing’n It featured fries topped with gravy, Kraft Cheddar Cheese Curds, bacon bits and Richardson Ultimate Maple Bacon Flavoured Sauce.
The promotion helped deepen our community roots.—David Deane, Wing’n It Restaurants
get in on the game
Want to run your own kraft Hockeyville promotion?
Contact your Kraft Heinz Foodservice sales rep.
Firkin photo credit: CCS Creative/ Bill Milne
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