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In a recent webinar hosted by MoEngage, QSR marketing experts from Radar and Bottle Rocket came together to unpack the findings of the 2025 State of Cross-Channel Marketing for QSRs report.
With more than 800 total survey responses, including 70 from QSR marketers, this report revealed where quick-service restaurants are focusing their energy, what is holding them back, and the emerging strategies reshaping the guest experience.
Here is a recap of the key takeaways, expert insights, and actionable advice shared by our panelists.
Where QSRs Are Focused in 2025: Loyalty, Personalization & Speed
The webinar kicked off with a deep dive into shifting priorities. Customer engagement and loyalty emerged as the top focus for QSR marketers in 2025, with 80% of respondents increasing investment in customer experience technology. Mobile-first experiences and real-time personalization are no longer optional; they are essential for effective QSR marketing.
Nick Patrick, CEO of Radar, put it simply: “Mobile has become the primary interface between QSRs and their customers. Real-time context is what makes that interface intelligent.”
Challenges: Disconnected Data, Tech Silos, and Execution Speed
While QSRs have the vision, many struggle with execution.
The report found that 60% of QSR leaders still struggle with personalization, and more than a quarter cited siloed data as a top challenge. The panelists echoed these findings, pointing to fragmented systems and misaligned teams as major hurdles.
Brendan shared: “The POS system was designed for speed and accuracy, not personalization. But when you can use even a basic signal, like a loyalty status, to prompt a more human, high-touch experience, it makes a real difference.”
Strategies That Work: Start Small, Focus Deep, Earn Trust
Panelists emphasized the value of starting small with high-impact initiatives like curbside pickup or loyalty nudges. Cross-functional alignment and choosing scalable tech partners were key themes.
“Don’t boil the ocean,” Brendan advised. “Start with one moment in the journey that can be improved and work cross-functionally to get it right.”
Earning Location Opt-ins the Right Way
Location data is a powerful lever for marketing and operations, but only if opt-ins are earned with care. Nick shared a practical framework: “It comes down to three things: transparency, value, and timing. You can’t just ask up front with no context and expect users to say yes.”
He pointed to Outback Steakhouse as a standout example: “They clearly explain the value, guide users through branded screens, and then request OS-level permissions. It’s thoughtful, and it works.”
AI in Action: Real Business Impact
Artificial intelligence was another hot topic. Brendan shared two areas where AI is delivering real value: smarter cross-sell/upsell and feedback intelligence.
“Even simple segmentation by daypart or region can lift basket size. Some tools report a 10% increase just by turning it on,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be complex to be effective.”
QSR Webinar Recap: Closing Thoughts
Whether optimizing app experiences, trying to unify your tech stack, automating manual processes, or building stronger loyalty loops, the advice was clear: start small, stay focused, and partner with tools and teams that can scale with you.
Watch the full webinar on demand to explore these examples further and learn how MoEngage, Radar, and Bottle Rocket can help your team accelerate QSR engagement.
The post Digital Meets Dine-In: 5 Expert QSR Engagement Strategies appeared first on MoEngage.
