Bob Evans Revamps E-commerce Site
Foodservice retailer Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is offering customers a redesigned e-commerce site featuring upgraded navigation, information and social networking components.
Bob Evans, which operates restaurant and general store locations as well as a line of refrigerated and frozen grocery products, is highlighting each facet of its business on the redesigned site. In addition to an enhanced restaurant locator feature, the site offers downloadable menus and nutritional information on menu items. The site also provides a product locator for grocery products, as well as a collection of recipes using Bob Evans products. Other features include opt-in email alerts and downloadable coupons.
A social media page allows customers to directly link to Bob Evans’ Twitter [reg. req’d.]and Facebook [reg. req’d.] pages, as well as blogs. Bob Evans’ Twitter page promotes new menu items and allows customers to post interactive comments. The retailer’s Facebook page offers similar features with expanded company information and access to photos and a link for email alerts. Blogs offer comments from the company CEO, as well as updates on news, events and store openings.
Increasingly, foodservice retailers are using the Internet, especially social networking sites, to connect with customers. Pizza retailers Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s have all been extensively using Facebook and Twitter to run special promotions and interact with consumers. In addition, fast food retailer Jack in the Box ran a major promotional push earlier this year for its new interactive website that included a series of TV ads inviting viewers to communicate with the company’s “Jack” mascot via email and social networking sites.
Bob Evans reported $1.7 billion in profits for fiscal 2008. The company operates more than 700 restaurants in 22 states, including some locations with general stores. Grocery products are available in 49 states and parts of Canada.