Portillo’s has been a Chicago staple since the 1960s. Founded as a hot dog stand, the casual fast food restaurant is known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. And cake shakes. Yes, you read that right. Cake. Shakes.
Portillo’s recently decided to expand in new markets beyond the Chicago area, starting with a new store location in Minneapolis. The challenge was reaching new customers who weren’t familiar with Portillo’s. Portillo’s and their new advertising agency, Schafer Condon Carter, partnered with my account planning class at Mizzou to have our student team conduct research and develop a strategy for reaching these new target markets.
Open the final plan book here: