Sonic Drive-In isn't a familiar takeaway restaurant to most Australians, but in North America the Sonic restaurant chain is well known for its convenient food and sizable drinks. In recent years, like a lot of restaurant chains, Sonic has started releasing limited edition branded merchandise drops. Their latest capsule collection is simple, but effective -- especially because it ties in nicely with America's Got Talent.

 

  1. Use branded merchandise for profit/visibility.
  2. Strategically distribute for maximum engagement.
  3. Maintain coherence, understand the audience, track success.

 

sonic logo printed navy shirts

Why Release Logo Merchandise?

For many restaurants struggling during the pandemic, promotional t-shirts and other nostalgic merchandise have provided extra revenue to outlets big and small. Even franchises like McDonald's have benefited from having an additional source of profit while food sales were restricted or low. So seeing Sonic Drive-In joining in on releasing their own capsule drop makes sense, given the context. In addition, the chain has a lucrative deal going with America's Got Talent allowing one of its new products to become so coveted that it sold out immediately upon being placed in the brand's online store

sonic branded tumbler agt cast with cups

Grabbing Attention With Custom Products

Sonic's logo decorated drink tumblers managed to develop a cult following because the celebrity hosts on America's Got Talent have been enjoying their beverages from them from behind the judge's desk on the popular program. While small chains can't possible enjoy the visibility that Sonic has due to its partnership with America's Got Talent, ultimately just the exposure gained from products being sold to and used by consumers can prove extremely useful to small businesses (and that's not even including the profit that can be made from retail sales). So if you're keen to get your organisation noticed, try some of the following products in your next marketing campaign:

While t-shirts, drinkware, stubby holders and socks are popular choices for branded merchandise due to their versatility and usefulness; it's important to find the right products that will resonate with your target audience. Consider factors like functionality, aesthetic appeal, durability and alignment with your brand image when choosing which items to produce.

At Cubic Promote we understand the importance of promoting your business through high-quality swag! That's why we offer customisable options for all kinds of promotional items such as bags & satchels, headwear, tech gadgets or even wellbeing products!

Enhancing Promotional Merchandise Potential

Creating promotional merchandise is one thing, but ensuring that it is successful in promoting your brand is another. To get the most out of your promotional merchandise, consider the following tips:

  • Be creative: Offer unique, and useful products that stand out from others. For example, functional items like phone wallets and reusable bags align with current trends and contribute to a greener environment.
  • Strategic distribution: Distribute products during events and product launches or offer as a gift with purchase to ensure maximum engagement.
  • Understand your audience: Consider what products will resonate with your target audience. For example, stress balls might be perfect for a corporate audience while custom-branded beach balls and drink coolers are perfect for outdoor events or companies targeting consumers.
  • Maintain Brand Coherence: Your merchandise should be representative of your brand, ensuring it aligns with your overall brand identity and values.
  • Measuring success: It is vital to track the effectiveness of promotional products by setting goals and benchmarks. This will help you improve future campaigns and create more targeted promotional merchandise in the future. These could include website traffic, sales, or engagement rates.

Takeaway

In conclusion, if you own a business, it might be worth considering creating and distributing your own branded merchandise. Not only can it provide extra revenue, but it can also increase your exposure by having consumers wear or use your merchandise. By following the tips mentioned in the article, such as being creative, understanding your audience, and maintaining brand coherence, you can enhance the potential of your promotional merchandise. So next time you're thinking about promoting your business, consider creating something unique and useful that aligns with your brand identity and values.

Sonic Drive-In made waves by releasing limited edition logo merch this season- but you don't need a national partnership deal  to launch branded swag with a solid impact on consumers. By investing in functional yet attractive products that align well with your brand identity, you'll tap into one powerful method of building lasting relationships with clients while generating extra income at ease.

 

Images and info found here: https://sonicswagshop.com/