QDOBA Launches 'Full Moon' UGC Campaign

The "Full Moon" promotion requires customers to be QDOBA Rewards members and purchase a full-size entrée to claim their free chips and queso, a tactic designed to drive loyalty program sign-ups and increase average order value on promotion days. The campaign was publicly framed by QDOBA's Chief Marketing Officer, Jon Burke, who stated, "Every time you look up at the full moon, count on free queso and chips waiting for you at QDOBA!" This type of calendar-driven promotion taps into the "social proof" phenomenon, where consumers are highly influenced by the activities of others. Similar successful campaigns include Starbucks' annual #RedCupContest, which generates massive amounts of free user-generated marketing each holiday season, and Chipotle's #GuacDance challenge on TikTok, which led to record-breaking avocado sales. User-generated content is a cornerstone of modern marketing because 79% of consumers say it highly impacts their purchasing decisions. For local businesses, UGC campaigns can increase social media mentions by as much as 300% and boost online reservations by 50%, transforming customers into a volunteer marketing force that provides authentic endorsements. Short-form video on TikTok and Instagram Reels is the ideal format for such campaigns, as social media algorithms prioritize this type of authentic, engaging content. An agency can advise a local restaurant client to create Reels showcasing "behind-the-scenes" prep for the promotion, or a wellness studio to launch a "Full Moon Flow" yoga challenge, encouraging user participation with a unique hashtag. Executing these video-centric campaigns is now more accessible for small businesses through AI-powered tools like CapCut and Canva. These platforms offer templates and AI features that can automatically generate captions, sync video clips to trending music, and simplify editing, allowing a small agency to produce professional-looking content quickly and affordably. When pitching a similar campaign, an agency can package it as a "Recurring Revenue Event." Services could include creating the initial concept, designing promotional assets in Canva, producing "kick-off" Reels with CapCut, and managing the monthly UGC curation and engagement for a flat retainer fee. For local discovery, a key tactic is to geo-tag all content and use location-specific hashtags like #DenverEats or #LAFoodie. Encouraging customers to do the same amplifies reach within the community, as many TikTok and Instagram users now use these platforms as local search engines to find trending places to visit.