Donatos Pizza’s Jodie Conrad on Creating Consistent, Digital-Forward Customer Experiences at a Legacy Brand

On today’s episode of The QSR Experience Show, Bobby speaks with Jodie Conrad, Chief Marketing Officer at Donatos Pizza, a family-owned pizza company with more than 150 locations. They discuss the ways in which digital channels have transformed the customer experience, how they’re optimizing their menu to create more consistency across locations, and why QSRs need initiatives to help their frontline employees be more successful. They also talk about why a great marketing strategy is staying true to the brand, "no gimmicks," and prioritizing solving problems. Topics discussed: What Jodie's marketing philosophy is and why it centers around solving problems and "no gimmicks." How the rising role of IT and technology in QSRs provides better customer experiences. How digital channels and in-store experiences converge to reduce friction and give customers more control. How Donatos is creating consistency across locations by optimizing its menu to ensure the same pizza wherever you are. How Donatos is thinking about food trends, and how customers enjoy basics with a twist. Why QSRs need to invest in initiatives that bring more value and success to their employees. Why a great strategy is to stay true to what makes the brand “the brand” and to find your unique offering.