MIAMI and SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 15 -- Burger King Corporation and eBay, the world's online marketplace, today announced their intention to enter into a multi-year agreement. The strategic alliance between the two companies will create the first Internet-based loyalty program in the fast-food industry, which is scheduled to launch early next year.
Under the loyalty program, when BURGER KING(R) customers purchase certain food or drink items from BURGER KING(R) restaurants, they will earn "points" which can then be deposited and tracked on a co-branded BURGER KING(R) and eBay site. Customers will use these points to bid on rewards that have been posted on the BURGER KING(R) and eBay site. Burger King Corporation will make available approximately one million rewards during 2002. Through its relationship with Burger King Corporation, AOL Time Warner, for example, may provide a wide range of these rewards, such as CDs, concert tickets and other entertainment experiences.
"Burger King Corporation and its franchisees are committed to providing our customers with value and innovative experiences that will bring them back again and again," said Chris Clouser, executive vice president and chief global marketing officer, Burger King Corporation. "This new program will reward our loyal customers by combining the food they already love with exciting new rewards from other great brands and alliances delivered via the convenience and fun of eBay."
"Burger King Corporation is a very innovative company, and this unique program is a great example of their strong commitment to their customers," said Brian Swette, chief operating officer, eBay. "The development of this loyalty program demonstrates the flexibility and power of the eBay platform. We think it will be very popular among Burger King customers and the eBay community."
Burger King Corporation and eBay will also develop online and offline marketing programs to promote the loyalty program, including significant in- store promotion at the 8,400 BURGER KING(R) restaurants in the United States.
About Burger King Corporation
Burger King Corporation was founded in 1954 and created the American icon, the HOME OF THE WHOPPER(R), in 1957. The company and its franchisees operate more than 11,370 restaurants in all 50 states and 58 countries and international territories around the world, with more than 92% of BURGER KING(R) restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING(R) brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY(R) food customization. In fiscal year 2001, the BURGER KING(R) system had system-wide sales of $11.2 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo, the international food and drinks company. To learn more about the BURGER KING(R) system, please visit the company's website at http://www.burgerking.com.
About eBay
eBay is The World's Online Marketplace(TM). Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and businesses. On any given day, there are millions of items across thousands of categories for sale on eBay, as well as on Half.com, eBay's site dedicated to fixed price trading. eBay enables trade on a local, national and international basis with customized sites in markets around the world.
