Yelp’s Most Loved Brands list blends familiar names with upstarts
From the dinner time solution to satisfying a food craving, Yelp has become a resource for many people. With a goal to connect businesses and guests in local communities, the platform has become a trusted resource and a plethora of information. For the first time, Yelp’s Most Loved Brands list has been revealed and a few of the findings are expected and a few might inspire people to grab their fork.
In Yelp’s Most Loved Brands list, it brings together the 50 most loved restaurant, food and retail brands. Although labeling a store or brand the best is subjective, the company weighed factors including affordability, great customer service and consistent, high quality products.
Overall, the list included fast casual restaurants, well-known brands, and a few unexpected food names, too. One characteristic that seems to unite all the businesses is the willingness to build a strong following in a local community. In addition, Yelp found that local businesses go out of their way to make their customers a priority.
Other factors that contributed to this list were overall value for the goods and services provided. As cost continues to be a shopping factor for most people, consumers do not want to overspend. While they are willing to pay for a product, it needs to connect with them on a deeper level.
The top four Yelp’s Most Loved Brands are:
- Trader Joes
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Kung Fu Tea
- First Watch
Speaking to its high placement on this Yelp list, Angie Eckelkamp, Chief Marketing Officer, Nothing Bundt Cakes, said “Nothing Bundt Cakes is in more than just the cake business – we are in the joy-bringing business, and being recognized by our fans on Yelp tells us we are succeeding on both counts. It means the world to us that our guests take time out of their day to tell their fellow Yelpers they trust our bakeries to sweeten their big celebrations and ‘just because’ moments with our delicious Bundt cakes.”
Also, Matt Eisenacher, Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Innovation at First Watch, commented, “Being named a Most Loved Brand by our customers is an honor and reflects the passion and positivity of every team member who brings our You First culture to life in every one of our restaurants, every day. This award celebrates what our teams put into action daily: spreading kindness at every turn, which in turn sparks more occasions and connections around the table. From holding the door to showing up with a smile and a pot of Project Sunrise coffee, these small touches create a memorable experience both within our four walls and shared beyond them online, and it’s incredibly meaningful for that to be recognized.”
While this list captures brand loyalty, it can also be a sales driver. For consumers who may not have visited or shopped these locations could want to learn why customer loyalty runs so deep. It might be time for someone to head to First Watch for that brunch or purchase a Bundt cake instead of another sheet cake.
The complete Yelp’s Most Loved Brands list can be found on the Yelp blog.