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Fast-casual chain Chipotle is “celebrating American athletes” at the Tokyo games for the 2020 Olympics with a new gold foil wrapper.
This is the first time Newport Beach, Calif.-based Chipotle has introduced gold foil nationwide since it celebrated its 18th anniversary and debuted gold foil-wrapped burritos in 2011.
Last month, the chain offered new digital-only menu items to celebrate American athletes, and also offered new episodes of its “Unwrapped” video series. The message: Chipotle’s menu can help athletes perform their best by providing proper nutrition with real food and real ingredients.
"We pride ourselves on being a go-to restaurant for many of the country's top competitors," said Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s chief marketing officer. "Our gold foil is symbolic of our support of American athletics and commitment to providing Real Food for Real Athletes."
Grubhub announced this week it would be the official food delivery partner of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, a soccer tournament that features the best national teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean every two years. The tournament, which began July 10 and will continue through Aug. 1 and airs on Univision and Fox networks, draws millions of viewers around the world.
The Chicago-based Grubhub’s partnership will include integrations into the tournament's pre- and post-game series, a takeover of the Gold Cup's "Unbeatable Delivery of the Day," and more, echoing the importance of consistency in performance — a common theme throughout the campaign.
"The world of soccer represents a uniquely diverse fanbase with global representation, a similarity that we share with our wide array of restaurants and what makes our partnership with Concacaf's Gold Cup such a great match," said Stephanie Kopa, senior director of marketing at Grubhub. "This summer and throughout the tournament, we're excited to show fans that performance isn't only valued and demonstrated on the field but through Grubhub and our new Grubhub Guarantee feature."
Quick-service chain Subway’s latest ad campaign isn’t just about one sports legend — it features five equally famous stars.
The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich company’s new ad campaign is considered one of the largest media investments by the brand and features athletic legends Charles Barkley, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Megan Rapinoe and Serena Williams to highlight the recently introduced menu launch.
The ads are narrated by basketball great-turned-sports-analyst Barkley, dubbed “the new voice of Subway,” and feature two-time NBA-most-valuable player Curry, seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brady, tennis champion Williams and two-time FIFA World Cup winner Rapinoe.
"The Subway Eat Fresh Refresh campaign brings to life how much new we have on our menu and is a significant moment in the brand’s transformation journey,” said Carrie Walsh, Subway’s chief marketing officer, in a statement. “As such, one single creative execution or spokesperson wouldn’t have been enough.
“We developed a creative idea with a supporting cast of the biggest names in sports to share all of the great changes happening at Subway in a story that continues across multiple spots and formats,” Walsh said.
Fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen’s newest investor is tennis phenom Naomi Osaka, the chain’s youngest investor at 23. Osaka also happens to be the Culver City, Calif.-based chain’s first national athlete ambassador, and it’s the first food collaboration for the three-time Grand Slam singles champion.
“I’m proud to join forces with Sweetgreen to change the way the world thinks of traditional fast-food sponsorships. As an athlete, what I put into my body directly correlates to how I perform and eating delicious, healthy foods fuels my daily routine,” said Osaka in a statement. “I’m excited about the work we’re doing together to create a positive impact.”
Osaka’s first designed bowl launched at the chain on May 20 and will only be available for pickup or delivery through the chain’s app at all 120 locations. The Naomi Osaka Bowl, her go-to order, features warm quinoa, baby spinach, cilantro, tomato, tortilla chips, raw carrots, goat cheese, blackened chicken, lime-cilantro jalapeno vinaigrette, avocado, and Sweetgreen hot sauce.
Osaka, a Japanese American, is competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for Japan.
Bojangles Inc. has become one of the first large quick-service brands to sign college athlete sponsorship deals since the NCAA offered an interim suspension of its rules this month.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Bojangles agreed to deals with quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei of Clemson University and Sam Howell of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill under the interim NCAA name, image and likeness, or NIL, policy.
Under the new rules, effective July 1, the NCAA adopted a uniform interim policy that allows incoming and current student athletes in all sports to benefit from their name, image and likeness.
“College football is a huge passion point for Bojangles and our fans, so we are excited to be able to work with the athletes that make this sport so great,” said Jackie Woodward, Bojangles’ chief brand and marketing officer, in a statement. “These local stars have enjoyed our delicious food to fuel their athletic careers, and we’re thrilled to officially be part of their journey.”
