Chipotle and Qdoba are restaurants aiming to maximize on their potential through exclusive promotional strategies. The two restaurants are well known in the regions they operate. They have ensured that they dominate the markets of their operation through execution of unique promotional strategies. Arellano argues “Qdoba lags behind Chipotle, but with 500 locations, it's far from an upstart” (Arellano 01).
Chipotle
The fast food company rides on its outstanding reputation. The brand is well known since it is characterized with theme of the restaurant, “Food with Integrity”. The theme is meaningful to customers as such an industry must be driven by integrity (FOOD 01).
Qdoba
The restaurant enjoys a wide market following its fame across a wide region. The restaurant enjoys wide platform for excellence. “we believe we can significantly improve Qdoba's performance and continue to grow the brand” (DiRaimo 01).
Advertising
Chipotle mainly uses media advertisements to reach its customers. For example, the company is working with the Omnicom's GSD&M media agencies to reach a deal of customers. Previously, the company has worked with Compass Point Media to execute its advanced marketing strategies (Morrison 01).
Qdoba
The restaurant believes in visual advertising. There has to be a form of advertisement in the television that informs people of the various services and foods that the restaurant offers. Although, the restaurant manages to reach a lot of people at the same time, it lacks excellent platform to counter the competition that is in the media (Gordon 01). For example, companies like McDonalds invest heavily in media advertisements making it hard for the medium sized companies like Qdoba to survive in the market.
Technology
The internet is a major form of technology that is significant in promotions and sales for different companies. Chipotle use the internet to link itself to clients as well as make its products well known in all the regions of their operations. The internet acts as a link between the company and the customer. The internet enables the customers to get updates on the new products from the companies in terms of ingredients and prices (Gordon 01). Through the internet, the customer gives their reviews on the products assisting the companies in identifying the most preferable services for their customers.
Qdoba restaurant mainly applies mobile technology in its promotions. The move to improve the mobile services aims at enhancing promotional offers and ensuring that customers get the information on time. The company has partnered with Mocapay to allow easy execution of the mobile marketing platform. The use of the mobile technology will assist in advancing the loyalty card program that the company uses.
Conclusion
Qdoba and Chipotle are major players in the fast food industry. However, Chipotle must be performing better than Qdoba following the exclusive consideration of a wide scope of promotions. Chipotle is keen to employ traditional marketing strategies that would save a lot of money compared to other marketing strategies. However, if Qdoba continue to invest in modern marketing and promotional strategies it may beat Chipotle in future. As time passes, Chipotle will be forced to consider modern promotional strategies so as to counter the competition in the market.
Works Cited
Arellano, Gustavo. "Chipotle or Qdoba? Either Way, Burritos Legally Stand on Their Own." Denver News and Events. 3 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.westword.com/2012-04-05/restaurants/burritos-stand-on-the-own/>.
Brady, Dan. "How Social Video Marketing Garnered Chipotle 6 Million Impressions." How Social Video Marketing Garnered Chipotle 6 Million Impressions. 30 May 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://engage.synecoretech.com/marketing-technology-for-growth/bid/141530/How-Social-Video-Marketing-Garnered-Chipotle-6-Million-Impressions>. Top of Form
DiRaimo, Carol. "Qdoba Mexican Grill Provides Update on Market Performance Analysis - DailyFinance." DailyFinance.com. 17 June 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/06/17/qdoba-mexican-grill-provides-update-on-market-perf/>.
"FOOD ." Chipotle: Food With Integrity. Chi[potle, 8 Mar. 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.chipotle.com/en-us/fwi/fwi.aspx>.
Gordon, Will. "Burrito Smackdown: Chipotle Vs. Qdoba." The Concourse. The ConCourse. Web. 27 Nov. 2014. <http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/burrito-smackdown-chipotle-vs-qdoba-1588013798>.
Morrison, Maureen. "Chipotle Taps GSD&M for Media, Creative | Agency News - Advertising Age." Advertising Age Agency News RSS. 29 May 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://adage.com/article/agency-news/chipotle-taps-gsd-m-media-creative/293465/>.
