Bar-B-Cutie Rewards Customers, Finds Success with Email Campaigns

As a way of rewarding loyal businesses and in-store customers, as well as responding to consumer demand for Internet coupons, Bar-B-Cutie, a 57 year old quick casual barbecue concept, is providing special money-saving offers via email. 

Cutie Savers are valuable, weekly offers to individual customers who completed a coupon request card at a Bar-B-Cutie location. Monthly Catering Specials are similar to Cutie Savers, sent by request to existing catering customers. Both Internet offers are easy to use for the customer, and easy to track for the Bar-B-Cutie team. Redemption rates have been exceptional.

"Tighter budgets are pushing consumers to be more proactive in their spending, and a growing number of consumers rely on Internet coupons as a means of stretching their dollars," said Christie MacFarland, Bar-B-Cutie Director of Marketing. A combination of emerging technology and a struggling economy has made email marketing more effective than ever before. 

With a nearly 30 percent redemption rate, Bar-B-Cutie customers are proving that they like the new programs. Online menus, online coupons, and a fun interactive website are also contributing to the overall success of the company's Internet marketing campaign. MacFarland says the company is constantly refining their corporate website to keep up with customer requests and suggestions. 

Other recent email marketing programs include:

Tips to Spice Up Your Special Cutie in 2008.  The Valentine book included complimentary offers and special tips, and was intended especially for guys, "because guys like to eat ribs more than they like to eat chocolates."
 

Little Cutie kids program featuring specialized characters like Ricky Ribs and Bobby Q

Cutie Cares about Education program that allows Bar-B-Cutie to partner with local schools, providing educational materials and free kid's meal offers to families. 

Another recent marketing campaign was the creation of the Cutie Buck, in the shape and size of a dollar bill. Sporting Bar-B-Cutie's red and white color scheme, with "Under Cutie We Trust" centered and stamped on the front, Cutie Bucks allow Bar-B-Cutie managers to personally invite members of their community to visit the restaurant.

The idea for the Cutie Buck came from a small town entrepreneur whose businesses thrive on community perception and awareness, said MacFarland. Each Cutie Buck contains a unique offer, and can be redeemed for a complimentary Bar-b-que sandwich, a Christie Cookie or a banana pudding. 

"Each of our mangers hand out at least 15 Cutie Bucks a week," MacFarland said. "In a world of diminishing personal iterations, people are thrilled to be personally invited to our restaurant. The complimentary Cutie Buck offers are icing on the cake!"

About Bar-B-Cutie

Bar-B-Cutie is a 57 year old quick casual barbecue concept that is famous for hickory pit BBQ, baby back ribs, chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef, 18 sides and a host of Southern lunch and dinner menu items. Bar-B-Cutie is growing their brand through national franchising. The quick casual model offers dine-in, take out, drive thru and catering. 

The company has new stores opening in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Delaware. Bar-B-Cutie is currently one of Americas fastest-growing BBQ concepts and has set its goal of becoming the largest quick casual BBQ chain in the world while serving the best food and providing the best service.