Plusgrade, Capital One, and JetBlue Collab for New Rewards Program
Ancillary revenue solutions firm Plusgrade is enhancing travel rewards flexibility by expanding its partnership with Capital One to introduce a new rewards transfer program with JetBlue. With the partnership, Capital One miles cardholders can convert their rewards into JetBlue TrueBlue points, unlocking new ways to redeem everyday spending for travel. This expanded exchange program further builds on Plusgrade’s existing relationship with Capital One, which already features several rewards exchange options. As consumers seek more flexibility in utilizing their rewards, this partnership provides Capital One cardholders with a simple way to transfer points to JetBlue’s TrueBlue program to book flights, vacation packages, and enjoy other travel-related perks.
Plusgrade Founder and CEO Ken Harris said, “Today’s financial institutions must offer more than just rewards—they need to create meaningful connections with their customers. At Plusgrade, we’re dedicated to helping travelers get more out of their rewards while driving ancillary revenue for our partners. By expanding our partnership with Capital One, we’re making it easier than ever for their customers to turn their rewards into unforgettable travel experiences.”
According to a 2024 Plusgrade survey of more than 1,200 North American loyalty members, 90% of financial institution loyalty members want to transfer their reward points to travel loyalty programs, while 86% of members value the ability to redeem points with multiple partners.
Learn more about the exchange partnership here: https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/venture-miles-transfer-partnerships/
Dave’s Hot Chicken Collabs With ezCater to Launch Catering Program for Workplaces
Food tech workplace catering platform ezCater has partnered with Dave’s Hot Chicken to introduce a catering program that addresses the rising demand for convenient, flavorful food options for workplace meetings, events, and employee lunches. Through this partnership, organizations can order from more than 200 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations across the United States, offering a variety of options that are perfect for large groups. The new catering menu features individually packaged meals, including popular items like hot chicken tenders, sliders, and sides.
Dave’s Hot Chicken President and Chief Operations Officer Jim Bitticks said, “Partnering with ezCater allows Dave’s Hot Chicken to tap into high-value workplace customers like never before. This partnership will help us capitalize on the growing demand in workplace catering while also opening up a new revenue stream for our franchise owners. The average order value for Dave’s Hot Chicken orders on ezCater exceeds $500, and we expect catering to represent as much as 10% of our business within a year.”
Drawing on ezCater’s nearly two decades of expertise in workplace catering, Dave’s Hot Chicken has developed a versatile catering menu that includes both boxed lunches and tray options. Designed for large group orders, the menu offers something for everyone with a variety of spicy and flavorful choices. The partnership also leverages ezCater’s platform, which helps restaurants gain incremental catering orders while benefiting from excellent customer service. Many Dave’s Hot Chicken locations also utilize ezDispatch, ensuring reliable and local delivery for workplace orders.
Learn more about ezCater’s platform here: https://www.ezcater.com/company/catering-growth-platform/
Domino’s Plans to Expand Uber Eats Partnership to Enhance the Customer Experience
In 2024, Domino’s Pizza Inc. saw its partnership with Uber Eats contribute to approximately 3% of its U.S. sales. The collaboration is a key part of the company’s strategy for growth, and executives are optimistic about expanding this platform.
Domino CEO of the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Domino’s said, “As we look ahead to 2025, we believe the combination of pressured consumer spending and a value-driven QSR marketplace will continue. In these challenging times, the best measure of a company’s success will be the market share gains it achieves.”
Domino’s is actively working to expand its presence in the aggregator platform market, with ongoing negotiations to partner with additional delivery services. While they have extended their exclusivity arrangement with Uber until May 1, 2025, the pizza chain is aiming for a $1 billion incremental sales opportunity through these platforms. In addition to enhancing its delivery options, Domino’s is preparing to launch at least two new menu items in 2025, continuing its “Hungry for MORE” strategy. New offerings, such as the New York Style Pizza and Mac and Cheese Pasta, were introduced in 2024, with more innovative products expected in the near future. Despite facing a tough financial environment, Domino’s has also made significant operational improvements. The company has rolled out 1,600 dough-stretching machines across the U.S. For the 2024 fiscal year, Domino’s saw a modest increase in revenues, with a 0.4% growth in U.S. same-store sales for the fourth quarter and 3.2% for the full fiscal year.
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