Media Magnified

The recent MediaPost TV and Video Summit, held in Deer Valley, UT in December 2025, highlighted a pivotal moment in the media landscape: a shift from traditional mass-market models toward AI-integrated, performance-driven precision. Throughout the event, speakers from major brands and agencies underscored a clear mandate: the next three years will determine which organizations thrive and which face irrelevance in an increasingly fragmented ecosystem. 

With AI as a central theme of the conference, one of the more jarring statements was the projected accelerated timeline for AI integration. John Halverson (Kenvue) noted that while 2024 was about mapping use cases, by 2028, generative AI must be “business as usual.” He emphasized that the cost of producing incremental assets is moving toward zero, making brand distinctiveness the only true competitive advantage. 

The second major theme was the looming “political storm” of 2026. Tyler Goldberg (Assembly) projected a record-breaking $10.5 billion to $11 billion spend, warning that no market or media plan will be untouched. This cycle will drive unprecedented CPM increases and inventory scarcity, particularly in linear TV, which still commands 60% of political spend. 

In the realm of strategy, Naveen Sharma (Church’s Chicken) provided an overview of how to modernize a legacy brand by moving to 100% digital video. By pivoting away from traditional linear TV, where the median age for non-sports programming often exceeds 50, Church’s leveraged “Zip Plus 4” and trade-area targeting to reach their core “on-the-go” consumer without the waste of broad DMA buys. 

The summit offered several actionable insights for agencies looking to provide immediate value to their clients: 

• Move from “Deliverable” to “Investment” Models: Agencies must stop being seen as mere content factories and start being seen as strategic partners. This includes building internal, compliant LLMs to protect client data while leveraging AI to reduce strategy development time from weeks to hours. 

• Embrace “Performance Modeling”: Traditional Media Mix Modeling (MMM) is often too slow for the current pace of digital. Agencies should prioritize performance modeling and incrementality tracking as non-negotiable standards to prove ROI in real time. 

• The Fragmentation Opportunity: Fragmentation is described as the “problem behind all problems,” leading to frequency issues and “stale creative.” However, it is also a “superpower” for reaching niche audiences if agencies can master harmonized measurement across walled gardens. 

• Creative as a Differentiator: In highly regulated categories like pharma, where data targeting is restricted by 20+ state privacy laws, creative distinctiveness must take precedence over hyper-segmentation. Agencies must help clients build “mental availability” through memorable storytelling, such as GoodRx’s “Savings Wrangler” campaign. 

For brands, the message from the summit was one of urgency and experimentation: 

1. Evaluate Your Exposure: Brands must reach out to their partners now to determine their exposure to the 2026 political cycle. Waiting until mid-2026 to adjust for rising CPMs will be too late. 

2. Start Doing, Stop Thinking: The “first-mover advantage” in AI is real because large language models learn and compound over time. Whether it is using “Vibe Planning” to find niche audience segments or AI for creative versioning, the cost of waiting is a permanent competitive disadvantage. 

3. Human Oversight is Vital: While AI can automate repetitive tasks like data manipulation, it requires human intervention to ensure quality and brand safety. The goal is “Human Intelligence plus Artificial Intelligence” to produce the strongest output. 

4. Prioritize Cultural Authenticity: Successful brands like Diageo and EA Sports are tapping into creators who “create culture” rather than just following it. This includes integrating into “appointment viewing” moments like live sports, while using creators for authentic, localized storytelling. 

In summary, the current media environment is a million-piece jigsaw puzzle with no box to guide us. Success requires identifying the “edge pieces” of brand foundation while using AI and precision data to fill in the complex center at scale. 

Watch the Fireside Chat – From Spreadsheets to Smart Bids: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of TV & Video Buying now.

For more information, visit harmelin.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.  

This month’s newsletter dives into a recap of how brands in the QSR space are reflecting and pivoting after a difficult year for the vertical, and how certain brands are right-sizing their business model to improve profit margins heading into 2026. 

Following a yearlong battle for share of the consumer’s wallet, brands head into 2026 poised to continue the “Value War” to bolster sluggish sales performance. 

The Golden Arches Sets the Tone 

National leaders like McDonald’s and Wingstop are slated for growth in 2026, following a year in which numerous QSR and fast-food brands faced challenges in gaining consumer share. While these leaders benefit from strong operations, pricing discipline, and technology, much of the industry is still searching for a fresh “spark” to drive traffic and excitement. Overall success in 2026 will hinge on delivering a clear value proposition, which was a key theme throughout 2025, while differentiating through innovation and digital capabilities to ensure ease and customization of their products. 

Source: QSR Magazine 

Burger King is leaning into nostalgia and family-friendly engagement as part of its broader “Reclaim the Flame” strategy. 

Continuing the Brand’s Path for Conquesting Burger Buyers 

The brand’s recent SpongeBob collaboration underscores this shift, featuring themed menu items, playful packaging, app activations, and experiential drive-thru elements. This approach reflects a growing QSR trend: pairing value-driven offerings with emotional connections and digital touchpoints to reignite consumer excitement heading into 2026. 

Source: QSR Magazine 

The Restaurant Finance and Development Conference convened in late November and highlighted how 2025 has split the restaurant world into clear winners and losers, driven by a deep consumer divide between those still spending freely and those pulling back on discretionary dining. 

Insight Round-Up from RFDC 2025 

Pundits noted that consumers are increasingly value-focused as pricing across segments has converged, pushing diners toward restaurants that offer clear value through portion, experience, or perceived quality rather than just higher price tags. As a result, brands that have kept prices in check and invested in holistic value, like Golden Corral and Chili’s, are seeing growth, while many fast casual and quick-service chains tied to younger or more price-sensitive customers are struggling. Executives pointed out that restaurants with strong operational focus, compelling value propositions, and broad demographic appeal are better positioned for success in 2026. With price sensitivity likely to stay high, the industry outlook suggests that value delivery, not just brand strength, will determine who thrives in the year ahead. 

Source: Restaurant Dive 

Wendy’s announced during its Q4 earnings call that it plans to shutter a “mid-single-digit percentage” of its U.S. locations, amounting to roughly 200–350 underperforming restaurants through late 2025 into 2026. 

Right-sizing For Wendy’s Amidst 2025’s Heightened Fast-Food Competition 

The interim CEO said the closures target sites that are “consistently underperforming” and dragging down the overall system’s performance. This move comes after a recent decline in sales, with U.S. same-store sales and overall revenue slipping, even as some international performance metrics remain stronger. Company leadership frames the closures as part of a broader turnaround strategy to strengthen the brand, reallocate capital, and improve profitability at remaining locations. 

Source: CNN 

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Education continues to evolve, driven by declining enrollment, shifting student demographics, financial pressures, and the rapid rise of digital and career-aligned learning models. 

Enrollment is down across many institutions, especially in two-year colleges. There’s a growing interest in non-traditional programs, including certificates, micro credentials, and adult learning pathways. As a result, institutions are rethinking their value proposition to attract and retain students. 

Declining Enrollment & Changing Student Demographics 

Across both K-12 and higher education, institutions are grappling with a sustained decline in student enrollment driven by demographic shifts, lower birth rates following the Great Recession, and the rise of school choice and alternative education pathways. K-12 districts in states like Alabama, Texas, and Florida face steep drops, leading to school closures and staffing reductions. Additionally, a major institution, Valley Forge Military Academy (grades 7-12), was forced to close due to declining enrollment and lack of funding. This underscores the fact that even government-assisted military schools are feeling the impact of demographic shifts and financial challenges. 

Meanwhile, higher education confronts the looming “Enrollment Cliff,” with projections of a 15% decline in college-age students between 2025 and 2029. These changes signal a broader transformation in how families and students engage with education. Alternatively, trade schools are experiencing an increase in enrollment share, largely driven by the declining perceived value of a traditional four-year college degree. 

At the same time, shifting demographics are reshaping the educational landscape. Students today are more diverse in age, background, and learning preferences, increasingly opting for flexible, career-oriented programs such as certificates, apprenticeships, and online degrees. Immigration patterns, economic pressures, and regional population shifts further influence enrollment trends, with some districts reporting missing students, particularly among Hispanic populations. These dynamics challenge institutions to rethink outreach, support systems, and program offerings to remain relevant and inclusive, while also presenting opportunities to innovate through personalized learning, flexible models, and alignment with workforce needs. 

In our view, the sustained decline in student enrollment across K-12 and higher education signals a structural turning point that requires bold transformation. Institutions must move beyond traditional full-time, on-campus models and embrace flexible, career-aligned pathways – such as certificates, apprenticeships, and online programs – while shifting toward a personalized, adaptive ecosystem. Schools and colleges that prioritize student-centered design, leverage data-driven outreach, and align curricula with workforce needs can turn demographic change into a strategic advantage. By reallocating resources, innovating delivery models, and investing in digital learning, community partnerships, and policy advocacy, education leaders can reimagine the system to thrive in this new era. 

Source: https://instructionalconnections.com/the-state-of-higher-education-in-2026/ 

Federal and state funding is declining as a share of institutional revenue. Colleges are facing budget shortfalls, leading to leaner staffing and increased reliance on tuition and private funding. Strategic resource allocation and financial agility are becoming essential. 

Financial Pressures & Funding Shifts 

In 2025, U.S. higher education institutions face unprecedented financial pressures driven by declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and disruptions in federal funding. These challenges have led to widespread budget shortfalls and job cuts, even among elite universities like Harvard and USC. In October alone, over 850 positions were eliminated, with institutions such as Michigan State and Carnegie Mellon citing reductions in federal research funding as a key factor. This wave of cuts underscores a broader trend of financial instability, reshaping the operational landscape of both public and private colleges. 

Uncertainty surrounding federal education policy under the new administration is compounding these pressures, prompting institutions to reassess financial models and explore alternative revenue streams. While reports from Moody’s and Fitch Ratings suggest modest tuition growth and philanthropy may offer relief for some, smaller or regional schools face deteriorating conditions and potential closures or mergers. To adapt, colleges are embracing strategic budgeting, mission-driven funding priorities, and academic transformation aligned with labor market needs. As public trust in higher education erodes, transparency and student-centered initiatives will be critical to long-term sustainability – determining whether institutions merely survive or thrive in this evolving financial climate. 

The financial instability facing U.S. higher education is a structural reckoning that demands systemic change. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and uncertain federal funding have exposed the fragility of tuition- and grant-dependent models, forcing institutions to embrace financial agility, mission-driven resource allocation, and innovative programs. Colleges that cling to legacy approaches risk closure, while those adopting alternative revenue streams, digital-first learning, and workforce-aligned credentials will lead the future. Transparency, student-centered strategies, and data-driven decision-making are essential to rebuild trust and ensure sustainability. The challenge is not whether higher education will change, but whether leaders can act quickly enough to redefine its value and secure long-term viability. 

Source: https://instructionalconnections.com/the-state-of-higher-education-in-2026/ 

The digital-first classroom is becoming the norm. Hybrid and fully online models are widely adopted. Technologies like VR/AR are being used to create immersive learning experiences. Partnerships between universities and EdTech companies are accelerating innovation. 

EdTech Expansion & Digital Learning 

The EdTech landscape in 2025 is undergoing a transformative expansion fueled by artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, and hybrid learning models. No longer a supplementary tool, EdTech has become the backbone of modern education, enabling personalized, inclusive, and scalable learning experiences. AI-powered platforms now tailor content to individual learners, automate assessments, and provide real-time analytics to educators, making instruction adaptive and data-informed. This evolution is not merely technological; it’s reshaping pedagogy and redefining how educators teach and students engage with knowledge. 

Immersive tools such as virtual and augmented reality are revolutionizing classrooms, allowing students to explore ancient civilizations, conduct virtual experiments, and interact with 3D models from their devices. Gamification enhances engagement, while accessibility tools like text-to-speech, AI translators, and flexible hybrid models bridge equity gaps. Looking ahead, the EdTech market is projected to surpass $500 billion by 2027, signaling sustained investment and innovation. The focus is shifting toward connected, ethical, and community-driven ecosystems that foster lifelong learning. In this new era, EdTech is not just about technology; it’s about empowering learners and reimagining the future of education. 

EdTech has evolved from a supplemental tool to the backbone of a new learning paradigm, driven by AI-powered personalization, immersive technologies, and hybrid models that create adaptive, learner-centric ecosystems. Institutions that adopt AI platforms, VR/AR experiences, and gamified learning will unlock greater engagement, equity, and scalability, bridging gaps through accessibility features like real-time translation and text-to-speech. Success will hinge on moving beyond digital delivery to build ethical, connected ecosystems through human-centered design, digital literacy, and strategic partnerships. Technology has already transformed education – the challenge now is whether leaders can harness this momentum to empower learners and reimagine the future. 

Source: https://hepinc.com/newsroom/6-trends-were-seeing-in-higher-education/ 

For more information, visit harmelin.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the travel and tourism industry, including marketing strategies, personalization, customer service, predictive analytics, and dynamic pricing. 

AI is enabling hyper-personalized travel experiences by analyzing user preferences and behaviors to deliver tailored itineraries and recommendations. 

Personalization at Scale 

AI-driven personalization is redefining the traveler journey. Platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia leverage AI to interpret traveler intent and generate customized itineraries. According to PhocusWire, generative AI tools are increasingly integrated into trip-planning workflows, providing real-time recommendations and automated itinerary summaries. While enhanced personalization improves customer satisfaction, it also introduces privacy considerations that require transparent data practices. Looking ahead, the travel industry will likely see deeper integration of autonomous AI agents capable of managing bookings and itineraries end-to-end, creating seamless travel experiences worldwide. 

Source: https://www.phocuswire.com/next-generation-travel-tech-ai-reshaping-future-travel 

AI-powered chatbots are revolutionizing customer service in travel, offering 24/7 support and multilingual capabilities. 

Conversational AI Takes Off 

AI chatbots and virtual assistants have become essential tools across the travel sector. They manage booking inquiries, handle cancellations, and provide real-time updates, helping organizations reduce operational costs while improving customer satisfaction. Forbes highlights how natural language processing-driven bots are increasingly replacing traditional apps, offering more intuitive and frictionless user interactions. These solutions also enhance personalization by learning from previous interactions. As adoption expands, organizations must address privacy concerns and potential overreliance on automated systems to ensure sustainable and responsible implementation. 

Source: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2023/02/02/the-role-of-chatbots-in-the-future-of-the-travel-industry/ 

Predictive analytics powered by AI is enabling tourism businesses to forecast demand, optimize pricing, and personalize marketing campaigns. 

Forecasting the Future 

AI-driven predictive analytics is transforming tourism marketing by leveraging historical and real-time data to anticipate traveler behavior. Research published in the Electronics journal underscores its growing importance in smart tourism destinations, where predictive tools help businesses minimize forecasting errors and allocate resources more effectively. These models enable dynamic marketing strategies, ensuring timely engagement with travelers. As competition intensifies, predictive analytics will become a cornerstone for revenue optimization and customer experience enhancement. 

Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/13/21/4151 

AI-powered dynamic pricing algorithms are enabling travel companies to maximize revenue by adjusting prices in real time. 

Smarter Pricing Strategies 

Dynamic pricing has evolved beyond traditional seasonal adjustments to AI-driven systems that analyze thousands of data points, such as demand trends, competitor rates, and local events. According to TravelAI, these algorithms support real-time price optimization, enhancing profitability and competitiveness. AI-powered pricing engines not only automate rate adjustments but also forecast optimal prices for different customer segments. This capability is especially critical in today’s volatile market, where consumer expectations and competitive pressures shift rapidly. 

Source: https://www.travelai.com/resources/dynamic-pricing-travel-profitability/ 

Generative AI tools are increasingly being used to help travelers discover new destinations and experiences. AI-generated trip concepts and AI-powered image search tools are influencing travel decisions more than ever before. 

AI Travel Planning 

Images and videos have become the primary gateway for travel inspiration. With tools such as Google Lens and Circle to Search, users can now explore what they see simply by uploading or highlighting an image, rather than searching manually. Approximately 75% of travelers begin their journey on social media, making visual content on these platforms critical to destination decision-making. 

Videreo collaborates with content creators to curate extensive catalogs of travel videos, which AI then organizes and connects to relevant themes, locations, and experiences. Similarly, Landfolk has developed an AI-powered visual search engine called Daisy, which allows users to search for destinations based on specific moods, aesthetics, or feelings, rather than traditional filters. 

AI is enhancing the travel-planning process by providing curated, highly personalized recommendations. As adoption grows, with 30% of travelers now using AI tools to plan their trips, the social media visibility of destinations and experiences has become increasingly important. Strong visual presence is essential not only for exposure to generative AI systems but also for influencing traveler behavior more broadly. 

Source: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250926-the-perils-of-letting-ai-plan-your-next-trip 

For more information, visit harmelin.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.  

Healthcare continues to transform, propelled by rapid AI adoption, shifting public trust, rural hospital collaboration, and rising consumer cost concerns. 

Healthcare organizations are adopting AI solutions at a rate more than double that of the broader U.S. economy, underscoring how the massive healthcare ecosystem is accelerating AI investment to tackle longstanding inefficiencies and operational burdens. 

Healthcare’s AI Outpaces the Overall U.S. Economy.  

A recent article from eMarketer reports that 22% of healthcare organizations have deployed domain-specific AI tools via paid commercial licenses in 2025. That compares with only 9% of U.S. firms more broadly. This disparity highlights how healthcare isn’t just following the AI curve; it is aggressively leaping ahead. 

The breakdown shows that provider organizations (hospitals and health systems) account for about 75% of the roughly $1.4 billion in healthcare AI spending this year. Key applications include ambient scribe tools and AI-powered coding/billing systems. 

Why is healthcare moving so fast? Because the U.S. healthcare system faces huge cost inefficiencies, clinician burnout, administrative waste, and lagging outcomes compared with peer nations. AI promises streamlined workflows, reduced expenses, and improved productivity. From our perspective, this is not just a tech upgrade; it’s a strategic pivot in how healthcare providers operate. 

Source: AI spending in healthcare outpaces the overall US economy  

Recent data from the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index shows that Americans’ trust in national public health institutions continues to decline. However, personal physicians remain one of the most trusted sources of health guidance, revealing a growing divide between institutional credibility and individual provider influence. 

Public Health Trust Dips but Doctors Still Influence.  

Trust in federal public health agencies including the CDC and FDA has slipped again, signaling ongoing public fatigue, confusion, and skepticism surrounding national health recommendations. Factors such as evolving vaccine guidance, cuts to federal staffing, and the broader spread of misinformation continue to weaken institutional credibility. This decline isn’t isolated; political leaders tied to health policy also receive low confidence ratings, reflecting an overall erosion of trust in top-down health communication. 

Despite this decline, consumers show strong trust in those closest to them. Personal physicians remain highly influential, with the vast majority of Americans viewing their doctor as a reliable source for health decisions. Family and close friends are also increasingly leaned on for validation and guidance, showing a shift toward interpersonal, relationship-based trust. 

For brands and health systems, the implications are clear. Aligning with trusted messengers such as physicians, local health leaders, and even community advocates can help bridge credibility gaps. Strategies that equip doctors with patient-friendly tools or leverage provider-led content can drive stronger resonance and engagement in an environment where institutional trust continues to slide. 

Source: Americans tune out federal health voices 

Rural hospitals across the U.S. are increasingly banding together into independent, clinically integrated networks rather than being acquired by or affiliating with large urban health systems. This trend seeks to preserve local autonomy while achieving scale to survive mounting financial and workforce pressures. 

Rural Hospitals are Banding Together.  

Small and rural hospitals traditionally facing steep headwinds including declining populations, high proportions of Medicare/Medicaid patients, workforce challenges, and thin margins are now turning to a network strategy. Instead of being swallowed by larger systems, they are organizing clinically integrated networks or shared service alliances that allow them to pool administrative functions, negotiate jointly with payers, invest in telehealth and regional referral pathways, and retain local decision-making. 

One of the key benefits is the ability of rural hospitals to protect their identity and mission within the community. When a small hospital is acquired by a large system, the risk is that decisions get made far from local realities — staffing, service lines, ambulatory access, and even hospital closure become less within the community’s control. By forming independent networks, rural hospitals preserve local governance and connection while accessing the scale benefits of collaboration: group purchasing, shared administrative services, joint contracting, and integrated care models. 

Looking ahead, policy support will make a difference. Rural hospitals need payment reforms, targeted grants, telehealth infrastructure, workforce incentives, and regulatory flexibility. The shift toward independent networks is promising as a survival strategy. Stakeholders (state governments, payers, rural hospital boards) should treat these networks not just as organizational vehicles but as platforms for transformational change within preventive care, value‐based contracts, community health integration, and digital expansion. In short, survival via collaboration and transformation via innovation. 

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/02/nx-s1-5519257/rural-hospitals-independent-health-networks  

Many Americans are increasingly worried about healthcare affordability. According to a recent West Health & Gallup survey, nearly half of U.S. adults anticipate trouble paying for medical bills in 2026, a sign that cost is driving behavior such as skipping care or prescriptions. 

Almost Half of U.S. Consumers Expect Trouble Paying Healthcare Bills in 2026 

Nearly half of U.S. adults expect difficulty paying for healthcare in 2026, with 47% concerned about covering necessary medical expenses and 37% reporting anxiety over prescription drug costs. Rising prices are already affecting behavior: 30% have skipped recommended tests or procedures, and 20% couldn’t afford prescribed medications in recent months. 

These trends highlight a growing need for personalized, cost-conscious communication; localized strategies; and targeted outreach that addresses financial anxiety and regional disparities in healthcare access. 

Source: Half of US adults fear they won’t be able to afford necessary healthcare next year 

For more information, visit harmelin.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.  

This month’s newsletter explores how QSR brands are leveraging seasonal flavors and loyalty-driven promotions to capture holiday traffic and deepen customer engagement. Plus, one fan-favorite QSR launches its flagship loyalty program and adopts technology on the storefront. 

Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, and McDonald’s are rolling out festive menu items to capture holiday buzz and drive incremental visits. From Baja Blast Pie to peppermint shakes and the nostalgic McRib, these brands are betting on seasonal flavors to spark engagement. 

Seasonal Menu Innovation 

This holiday push is more than a menu tweak; it’s a cultural alignment strategy. Taco Bell’s Friendsgiving-inspired Baja Blast Pie taps into social rituals, while Chick-fil-A’s peppermint drinks and McDonald’s Holiday Pie evoke nostalgia and comfort. These limited-time offerings (LTOs) create urgency and shareability, positioning QSRs as part of holiday traditions rather than just meal solutions. 

The timing is critical. With consumer spending tightening, novelty-driven menus offer a cost-efficient way to boost frequency and brand relevance without major operational disruption. For marketers, this illustrates how seasonal storytelling can amplify emotional connection and drive traffic during competitive holiday windows. It’s not just about flavor; it’s about creating moments that feel special and worth sharing. 

Source:  Convenience.org 

Playa Bowls is introducing a “Winter Specials” menu featuring festive flavors like North Pole Acai Bowl and Peppermint Cold Brew, paired with loyalty discounts to deepen engagement. 

Festive LTO Meets Loyalty Strategy 

Playa Bowls demonstrates how seasonal innovation can coexist with brand authenticity. By infusing holiday cues into health-forward offerings, the brand appeals to festive cravings without compromising its wellness positioning. The loyalty tie-in, a $3 discount for members, turns seasonal excitement into measurable app engagement, reinforcing digital-first behavior. 

This approach signals a broader trend: holiday menus as loyalty accelerators. Instead of chasing indulgence alone, Playa Bowls uses personalization and rewards to strengthen retention. For marketers, this is a great blueprint for how niche QSRs can leverage seasonality to drive both emotional and transactional value, proving that festive doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. 

Source: QSR Magazine 

7-Eleven is using Thanksgiving as a loyalty activation event, offering BOGO chicken sandwiches, $5 pizzas, and $20 off delivery orders for rewards members. 

Loyalty-First Holiday Play 

This strategy reflects a major shift in QSR holiday marketing: from mass promotions to personalized, app-first experiences. By tying deals to membership, 7-Eleven converts seasonal traffic into long-term loyalty and data capture. These offers, spanning in-store and delivery, position convenience as a competitive advantage during peak travel and family gatherings. 

For marketers, this is a case study in how digital ecosystems and value-based incentives can outperform traditional discounting. It’s not just about Thanksgiving deals; it’s about building repeat behavior and deepening engagement through exclusive rewards. In a crowded holiday market, loyalty-driven promotions are emerging as the most sustainable growth lever. 

Source: QSRweb 

Culver’s launches its long-awaited Delicious Rewards loyalty program, pairing simple point-based perks with upgraded tech to deliver a more personalized, hospitality-driven guest experience. 

A QSR Luddite Leans into a Tech-Forward Future 

The popular midwestern burger chain Culver’s has officially launched its new Delicious Rewards loyalty program, a long-anticipated move that aligns with its core values of hospitality and community. CEO Julie Fussner acknowledges that while the brand may feel “late” to the loyalty party, Culver’s purposely took its time to build a thoughtful, guest-centered program rather than rushing something that didn’t reflect its identity. To support this launch, Culver’s rebuilt its technology infrastructure, including a modern POS system, so it can scale a loyalty system in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, its in-restaurant experience. 

Source: QSR Magazine 

For more information, visit harmelin.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.