Nando’s cashes in on burger chain’s 2-for-1 promotion
Nando’s is hoping to cash in on disgruntled Victorian consumers who have been told they can’t redeem electronic versions of a 2-for-1 voucher for burger chain Grill’d.
Grill’d published a statement on its site saying it had been recently inundated with people trying to redeem a 2-for-1 burger offer that had been doing the rounds via email.
But because the offer had originated from the current print edition of Victoria University publication, Uni Times Magazine, Grill’d said the voucher was only available to readers of the print publication, and not available online.
The Grill’d statement said:
The Uni Times 2 for 1 offer was intended to be limited to the readership of the Uni Times publication – otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to offer it at all – All vouchers from the printed publication will be honoured. To get the real voucher just pickup a free copy of Uni Times from any of these locations. We hope all of our customers can appreciate the good faith in which the offer was released, and that neither Grill’d or its loyal customers will win in the long run if we allow digital copies or scans to be honoured for printed offers such as this. We know a lot of our loyal Grill’d fans have received electronic versions of the offer and we apologise for this, but we hope you understand that this was never our intention.”
Since the release of its statement it has attracted several comments from disgruntled customers on its site.
Nando’s quickly responded to the backlash, issuing a press release and posting its own statement on its site today, telling consumers to bring their electronic Grill’d vouchers to their chain. In a press lrease entitled “Nando’s doesn’t care where your vouchers come from just come on in”, it said that consumers will be able to redeem Grill’d vouchers at any Nando’s restaurant in Victoria or Queensland.
Kim Russell, Nando’s Australia national marketing manager, said:
This time of year, students are back at uni, paying for all their books and struggling to make ends meet. Many of our own staff are uni students and so we understand their plight. Downloaded, photocopied, scanned, emailed, original, we don’t care where you got them, just bring the Grill’d vouchers into Nando’s and we’ll make sure you’re all well looked after.”
Nando’s is known for its topical marketing stunts, which have included hijacking the Bruno movie premiere and a radio ad launched during Britney Spears’ Australian concert tour when she was criticised for lip-synching. Nando’s ad agency is The Sphere Agency.
Grill’d was not available for comment at the time this article was published.
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As much as I hate to say it, this is a good move.
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It seems that they have not informed their stores about this as some people have had problems trying to redeem this voucher. Hopefully they can keep a good publicity stunt from backfiring on them too by ensuring all their stores are in touch with the marketing department.
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Why do you hate to say it?
Do you not like good marketing?
Or do you secretly work for Grill’d?
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Your move, Grill’d.
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went to Grill’d, got burned,
went to Nandos, got chicken..twice.
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I feel a craving for two Nandos burgers coming on…
…very good move on Nandos part (for a great comeback and giving me dinner)
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how dare grill’d not giveaway free food to those not entitled to it.
this will really damage their ‘brand’ with the tightarses who try to avoid paying for anything.
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for a ‘funky/ indy’ imaged burger store, this move is very ‘corporate’
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Check out the Grill’d back lash!
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The burgers are better at hungry jacks
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Urban Burger is also honouring the 2 for 1 vouchers at all Victorian stores and they are just as good if not better than Grill’d!!
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Most Nando stores were not honoring this…. Although they are quick on Social Media… internal communication was evidently a lot slower!
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It seems Grill’d is now honouring the vouchers (including, printed, scanned and e-mailed) and offering refunds to those who were initally denied the use of the voucher http://grilld.com.au/section/blog/312/#comments
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