Three successful promotional giveaways that Mad Mex aims to top

Mexican food franchise Mad Mex has launched an offer that will give customers the chance to win a year’s supply of burritos, suggesting franchisors can take inspiration from other promotional giveaways.

Every customer who purchases food from the Mad Mex chain before March 22 will have the chance to enter the competition.

According to Max Mex chief executive Clovis Young, the competition is an opportunity for the company to show its appreciation to its loyal fans.

Max Mex certainly isn’t the first franchise to offer giveaways in a bid to promote its brand. StartupSmart identifies three of the standouts:

7-Eleven

On November 7 last year, franchisees at 7-Eleven outlets across the country handed out free Slurpees to customers who said ‘Happy 7-Eleven Day” in-store between 7am and 11pm.

A Slurpee is a flavoured frozen drink sold by 7-Eleven. One million customers were expected to claim the unofficial birthday treat, an annual celebratory promotion that began in 2008.

“We’re also inviting Australians to share their 7-Eleven happy snaps on the Slurpee Australia Facebook page for a chance to win a year’s supply of Slurpee,” brand manager Lalena King said.

Not only did 7-Eleven generate traffic to its stores by offering free Slurpees, it enticed consumers to promote the drink on social media by offering up an even bigger prize.

Red Rock Noodle Bar

In July last year, noodle franchise Red Rock Noodle Bar announced the latest winner of its in-store promotion, which offered one customer the chance to win a Hamilton Island holiday.

To enter the promotion, all customers had to do was buy a box of noodles.

The prize was initially planned to be an Asian holiday. But after the devastation of the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi, Red Rock decided to lend its support to local tourism.

“As a Queensland company, we felt strongly about helping our fellow Queenslanders in their time of need,” managing director Phil Colburn said.

“It made sense to send a Queenslander to one of our exotic destinations, Hamilton Island.”

In addition to promoting its food, Red Rock highlighted its support for a local industry that is struggling, a move that’s sure to resonate with consumers.

McDonald’s

In September 2009, a McDonald’s promotion in the United States gave away Angus beef burgers and paid the fares for public transport users in six US cities.

The promotion was introduced as a way of rewarding public transport users for their climate-conscious choice, but was also designed to appeal to cash-strapped consumers.

“The McDonald’s owner/operator enjoyed giving back to the community this summer with free McCafé coffees and paying people’s toll booth fees,” a spokesperson said.

“Now we want to give downtown consumers some economic relief and a free sample of our new premium Angus burgers.”

McDonald’s is also well known for its McHappy Day initiatives, including its Big Mac offer. On McHappy Day, $2 from every Big Mac sold goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The beauty of these campaigns is that consumers get to indulge in a McDonald’s menu item and feel good about it.