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  • April 21, 2022

    Behind the Scenes: Launching Our Glow Up Give-Back Program With FurBabies Bakery

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    If you know one thing about UMI, it’s that we love our pets. Like, really love our pets. One Bring Your Pet to Work day wasn’t enough for us –– they’re welcome every day of the week. But we’re just as dedicated to finding ways to support our local community, especially when we can use our brand growth expertise to help small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

    If you know one thing about UMI, it’s that we love our pets. Like, really love our pets. One Bring Your Pet to Work day wasn’t enough for us –– they’re welcome every day of the week. But we’re just as dedicated to finding ways to support our local community, especially when we can use our brand growth expertise to help small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

  • March 31, 2022

    Behind the Scenes: Creating the Qdoba Card Game

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    At UMI, we understand that great ideas depend on great execution –– and the creativity it takes to get there. We work with (and prospect) brands across all industries. While every project we tackle is different, the passion we bring to everything we do is unwavering! We recently had the chance to bring that passion to bear on a fun project targeting Qdoba –– a card game based on the family-classic Spot It!..

    At UMI, we understand that great ideas depend on great execution –– and the creativity it takes to get there. We work with (and prospect) brands across all industries. While every project we tackle is different, the passion we bring to everything we do is unwavering! We recently had the chance to bring that passion to bear on a fun project targeting Qdoba –– a card game based on the family-classic Spot It!..

  • February 9, 2022

    Pro Tips for Designing Killer Marketing Materials

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    On-premise signage and printed advertising materials will always hold one key advantage over digital assets: memories created through sight and touch tend to last longer. Today’s consumers have mostly learned how to tune out the onslaught of digital advertising that accompanies online life, but tactile experiences, like reading from a printed page or poster, still have staying power.

    On-premise signage and printed advertising materials will always hold one key advantage over digital assets: memories created through sight and touch tend to last longer. Today’s consumers have mostly learned how to tune out the onslaught of digital advertising that accompanies online life, but tactile experiences, like reading from a printed page or poster, still have staying power.

  • January 27, 2022

    Direct Mail: A Marketing Legend Lives On

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    Direct mail marketing is by no means a new concept, and some might even call it a relic. But this dinosaur’s still got teeth! Did you know that direct mail recipients purchase 28% more items and spend 28% more money than people who don’t get that same piece of direct mail? Or that 73% of consumers say they prefer being contacted by brands via direct mail because they can read it whenever they want?

    Direct mail marketing is by no means a new concept, and some might even call it a relic. But this dinosaur’s still got teeth! Did you know that direct mail recipients purchase 28% more items and spend 28% more money than people who don’t get that same piece of direct mail? Or that 73% of consumers say they prefer being contacted by brands via direct mail because they can read it whenever they want?

  • December 16, 2021

    Print vs. Digital: Which Style of Menu Board Is Right for You?

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    At first glance, it can feel like a no-brainer. In a world where customers can order and pay for almost any kind of food from a handheld device, doesn’t it make sense for onsite menu boards to go digital, too? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess. Yes, digital menu boards have the potential to offer your customers a sleek, tech-friendly vibe –– and research has shown that the presence of digital menu boards does reduce perceived wait time by as much as 35% –– but there are some trade-offs to consider. Let’s take a closer look at what menu boards do for your location, and why it might not necessarily always make sense to switch to digital.

    At first glance, it can feel like a no-brainer. In a world where customers can order and pay for almost any kind of food from a handheld device, doesn’t it make sense for onsite menu boards to go digital, too? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess. Yes, digital menu boards have the potential to offer your customers a sleek, tech-friendly vibe –– and research has shown that the presence of digital menu boards does reduce perceived wait time by as much as 35% –– but there are some trade-offs to consider. Let’s take a closer look at what menu boards do for your location, and why it might not necessarily always make sense to switch to digital.

  • November 5, 2021

    What Today’s Pandemic Trends Mean for the Future of Multi-Unit Restaurants –– and Beyond

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    Established business models and name recognition help many multi-unit restaurant brands take on all kinds of challenges. The past several months have proved that adaptability is the name of the game, and many of today’s rapidly accelerating industry trends were already gathering steam before the pandemic hit. What changes are here to stay, and how do restaurants and retailers shift their strategies to meet the needs of a changing world?

    Established business models and name recognition help many multi-unit restaurant brands take on all kinds of challenges. The past several months have proved that adaptability is the name of the game, and many of today’s rapidly accelerating industry trends were already gathering steam before the pandemic hit. What changes are here to stay, and how do restaurants and retailers shift their strategies to meet the needs of a changing world?

  • September 3, 2021

    Any Size, Any Shape, Anywhere

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    When it comes to multi-unit franchise marketing, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. UMI knows that not all franchise locations are cast from the same mold. From windows to floor plans to aisle width, sizes vary. Shapes vary. Needs vary. You need point of purchase solutions with the flexibility to adapt to the needs of your space, no matter how many locations your brand operates. And if you're trying to manage marketing operations from headquarters, without having truly established your diverse locations as individual units, you've lost the battle before it's even begun.

    When it comes to multi-unit franchise marketing, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. UMI knows that not all franchise locations are cast from the same mold. From windows to floor plans to aisle width, sizes vary. Shapes vary. Needs vary. You need point of purchase solutions with the flexibility to adapt to the needs of your space, no matter how many locations your brand operates. And if you're trying to manage marketing operations from headquarters, without having truly established your diverse locations as individual units, you've lost the battle before it's even begun.

  • August 4, 2021

    Building Relationships in Local Communities

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    Lately we’ve been thinking about the intricate web of connections that unites our communities and cities. Helping your franchisees know their trade area means knowing a lot about your target market, of course, but there’s so much more to success than marketing demographics. How do you position your brands to feel like an integral part of each neighborhood?

    Lately we’ve been thinking about the intricate web of connections that unites our communities and cities. Helping your franchisees know their trade area means knowing a lot about your target market, of course, but there’s so much more to success than marketing demographics. How do you position your brands to feel like an integral part of each neighborhood?

  • June 28, 2021

    To Hug or Not to Hug, that is the Question

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    Planning to host an event this summer? You’ve probably already been thinking about ways to ease the transition from online to in-person events. Safety is a concern, of course, but so is comfort: some of your guests might feel tentative about sharing indoor together time again, while others are hankering for the return of handshakes and hugs. Here are some ideas about how to please everyone.

    Planning to host an event this summer? You’ve probably already been thinking about ways to ease the transition from online to in-person events. Safety is a concern, of course, but so is comfort: some of your guests might feel tentative about sharing indoor together time again, while others are hankering for the return of handshakes and hugs. Here are some ideas about how to please everyone.

  • April 1, 2021

    Get to Know Your New Marketing Partner!

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    Marketing your business can feel overwhelming when you’re faced with reduced budgets and staffing, ever changing pandemic pivots and an overly competitive climate. Or maybe you’re growing faster than you can keep up with. That’s where UMI comes in!

    Marketing your business can feel overwhelming when you’re faced with reduced budgets and staffing, ever changing pandemic pivots and an overly competitive climate. Or maybe you’re growing faster than you can keep up with. That’s where UMI comes in!

  • December 18, 2020

    Modernizations of Direct Mail Marketing

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    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

  • November 20, 2020

    The Secret to Scale Your Business

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    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

  • November 3, 2020

    Trends of Marketing During COVID-19

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    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

  • October 28, 2020

    5 Key Holiday Marketing Ideas

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    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

    If you haven’t started your planning for the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking of holiday marketing ideas! The buzz is already beginning over holiday shopping, and your brand should be a part of the conversation. Of course, this holiday season will be a bit different...

  • September 23, 2020

    Transform Your Business with Trade Area Marketing

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    Local businesses can benefit greatly from using what we consider the golden ticket to success: trade area marketing. If you’re using a one-size-fits-all approach with your local marketing and not diversifying your efforts based on location, we urge you to...

    Local businesses can benefit greatly from using what we consider the golden ticket to success: trade area marketing. If you’re using a one-size-fits-all approach with your local marketing and not diversifying your efforts based on location, we urge you to...

  • September 20, 2020

    Why Use Local School Outreach?

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    A key part of local marketing is building and maintaining relationships within the local community and at the top of that list are schools and educators. Even during the pandemic, this remains a priority although the execution may shift. Students and teachers are...

    A key part of local marketing is building and maintaining relationships within the local community and at the top of that list are schools and educators. Even during the pandemic, this remains a priority although the execution may shift. Students and teachers are...

  • September 4, 2020

    Creating an Impactful Grand Opening Plan During COVID-19

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    It is truly encouraging and speaks directly to the dedication of each brand and its franchisees that despite the current climate, many are still opening new locations! While the traditional means of a grand opening are not currently an option during COVID-19...

    It is truly encouraging and speaks directly to the dedication of each brand and its franchisees that despite the current climate, many are still opening new locations! While the traditional means of a grand opening are not currently an option during COVID-19...

  • August 18, 2020

    UMI Hires Jason Pierret as Vice President of Sales and Business Development

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    Pierret brings with him over 15 years of experience working with large national brands on their sales and business development. His robust background in franchise, healthcare, finance and hospitality centers...

    Pierret brings with him over 15 years of experience working with large national brands on their sales and business development. His robust background in franchise, healthcare, finance and hospitality centers...