Right now there are communities all over the world doing it tough in no small part due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The state of Louisiana in the US alone has (as of this writing) almost 1300 deaths, with the city of New Orleans particularly hard hit. A cultural hub for the state, the city is where the Popeyes chicken brand originated and now, in light of the current crisis, the fast-food chain is giving back to the community through branded merchandise.

 

  1. Popeyes combats COVID-19 with promotion.
  2. Promotional merchandise boosts community aid.
  3. Brands can replicate for success.

 

popeyes strong branded merchandise

Promotional Products For Community Support

Popeyes isn't a common name here in Australia, but in the US they're synonymous with a mouth-watering fried chicken sandwich that owes its spice blend to the chain's humble New Orleans beginnings. In light of the local COVID-19 struggle, Popeyes has decided to raise money for the people of New Orleans via promotional clothing and custom-branded headwear campaign dubbed, 'NOLA Strong.'

 

What makes this campaign interesting is that the promotional swag comes paired with a delicious meal.

nola strong promotional t-shirt nola strong tee brand

Meals Paired With Branded Clothes

The NOLA Strong pack includes 12 pieces of Popeyes' famous chicken, two sides, six biscuits, a branded t-shirt, and a promotional cap -- talk about a great branded bargain! The sale of these packs will help Popeyes and the local Second Harvest Food Bank to provide a million meals to hungry locals during this difficult time.

 

The merchandise, though limited in design and product range, has proven to be popular enough that the restaurant chain is now selling the gear online at an affordable price for anyone to support the NOLA Strong appeal.

popeyes purple branded cap orange promo tees for popeyes

What we love about this campaign from Popeyes is that it is extremely simple in scope, design, and ambition. There's no confusion or ambiguity here, only effectively branded merchandise being sold to support a worthy cause. If you're an Australian restaurant, fast-food chain, or pub, then this is a campaign you may want to draw some inspiration from.

 

There's no need for hundreds of product choices or zany designs, just simple products that people want and will pair well with a meal.

 

If you want to learn more about affordable options for promoting your charity or charitable cause during COVID-19 then please speak to the friendly sales team at Cubic Promote. We can provide competitive pricing, quality items, and free virtual mockups. So get ahead of the competition and take a leaf out of Popeyes' book today!

Leveraging Food And Merchandise

Let's look at how other companies can replicate this model:

  • Combining High Demand Products: One lesson from Popeyes is the unique combination of their famous food with promotional merchandise. Evaluate your popular products and see how these can be packaged with branded items.
  • Engaging Community Cause: Popeyes tied their campaign into serving the community. Identify causes that are relevant to your audience and incorporate it into your promotional strategy.
  • Limited Edition Appeal: By offering a limited range of items, Popeyes created a sense of urgency. Consider limited edition merchandise for your promotion.
  • Online Sales Platform: Popeyes expanded reach by selling online. Evaluate the feasibility of e-commerce for your branded merchandise.

Charity Through Merchandise - A Worthy Trend?

Following are the reasons to consider this approach:

  • Brand visibility: Branded merchandise provides a lasting reminder of your company.
  • Customer Loyalty: Customers appreciate companies that give back to society, thereby building loyalty.
  • Cost-effective: Compared to traditional advertising, branded merchandise can be more cost-effective.
  • Extended Reach: These products can reach beyond the buyer, as they are used or worn in public.

Final Thoughts

Moving forward, business owners should consider merchandise-based charity campaigns. By linking product sales to community support, they can build a stronger connection with their patrons and society as a whole. This strategy promotes not only their brand but also a worthy cause - a perfect partnership for success.

 

Campaign details and images found here: https://www.nola-strong.com/