Navigating crisis with authenticity + success
Sonny’s BBQ
About Sonny’s BBQ
Sonny's BBQ opened their first local BBQ joint in Gainesville, Florida in 1968. Every day since, they’ve been smokin’ and servin’ their signature BBQ to hungry folks and gaining new fans in the process. What’s been the secret to their success? They’re passionate about BBQ. Sonny's BBQ constantly perfects their craft. And they bring their expertise to the table with every meal. But above all, they put others first and make sure everyone who dines with them feels right at home.
The Challenge: Build a comprehensive crisis communication strategy to prepare the brand and franchise locations for the inevitable crisis.
The Solution
Crisis Communication Playbook
Execute a decision-making tree and core messaging that positions Sonny's BBQ as an industry leader in crisis communication.
Crisis Scenario Workshops
The Lola Red team lead and facilitated crisis scenario workshops with the Sonny's team. These workshops included media training, crisis communication do's and do not's, along with an open discussion about the current state of their crisis communication and where they want to go in the future.
Collaboration with Partners
The team collaborated with Sonny's to determine who would be the main point of contact during a crisis, so there is a clear ownership process in place to streamline the crisis communication process.
The Results
15+ Crises Successfully Navigated
Lola Red successfully navigated over 15 crises in 2022 with minimal disruption to business operations and impact on brand reputation.
Increase in Overall Sales
Sonny's BBQ sales are up by 20% year-over-year following record-high crisis scenarios across the entire brand footprint.
Established A Crisis Team
Lola Red and Sonny's BBQ established a crisis communication team and activated communication channels across both companies.