Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement inspires restaurant promotions Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement inspires restaurant promotions Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement inspires restaurant promotions Heart-shaped pizzas and onion ring specials dominate the conversation Ron Ruggless , Senior Editor , Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality August 27, 2025 2 Min Read Portillo's offered onion rings with a purchase. Portillo's Restaurant brands were quick to jump on the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift engagement announcement Tuesday with promotional tie-ins ranging from pizzas to onion rings. While the Instagram announcement by the pop singer and the Kansas City Chiefs football player was largely anticipated after two years of dating, the event sent promotions departments into overdrive. Loading ... A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Instagram, said the social platform briefly crashed for some users, adding: “Turns out Instagram needed to process this news, just like everyone else.” Restaurants revved up their promotions after the reveal. Krispy Kreme offered free donuts Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. “for the class,” a reference to Swift’s and Kelce’s mention that the English teacher and the gym teacher were getting wed. California Pizza Kitchen said it was “in its celebration era” and offered customers 13 days of heart-shaped pizzas, a reference to Swift’s favorite number. Starting Friday, Aug. 29 for 13 days, CPK customers can order the “It’s a Love Story Pizza,” featuring a heart-shaped thin crust pizza in any flavor, available for dine-in and takeout. Carl’s Jr., the burger chain, offered $1 onion rings with any $5 or more order in honor of the Swift’s diamond engagement ring. Related: Social media creators fuel beverage boom as coffee, dirty soda drive engagement Portillo’s, the Chicago-based company, offered its Perks members a free small onion ring with a $1.13 or more purchase. “At Portillo's, we know you belong with us, and this golden opportunity is our love story with you,” the company said. “Don’t let this enchanted offer slip away – it’s available for seven days, and we’re feeling 22 kinds of excited.” Papa Johns celebrated the occasion by offering $13 of free Papa pizza dough (enough to cash in for a free pizza) on Wednesday to existing Papa Rewards members named Taylor or Travis. Other brands chose to make social media posts, like Starbucks and Pizza Hut. Panera Bread posted a photo of a loaf of bread with the text, "SHE SAID YEAST!" Auntie Anne's proclaimed "I’d marry you with pretzel rings" on Instagram. Buffalo Wild Wings said simply: “We will cater the wedding.” View post on X Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected] Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless Read more about: Carl’s Jr. Papa Johns About the Author Ron Ruggless Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain. Ron Ruggless’ experience: Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present) Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991) Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988) Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987) Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982) Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980) Email: [email protected] Social media: Twitter : @RonRuggless LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless Instagram: @RonRuggless TikTok: @RonRuggless See more from Ron Ruggless Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more. 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