Bigfoot Spuds and Eco-Friendly Promotional Products
Welcome to our monthly Spotlight on…’ where we highlight companies that have successfully partnered with Hotline.co.uk to elevate their brand awareness through effective promotional product strategies. This week, we’re thrilled to showcase a true gem: Bigfoot Spuds. Renowned for their mouth-watering homemade food, Bigfoot Spuds operates from their beloved spud shop in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. Be sure to check out their engaging content on TikTok and YouTube. Let’s dive deeper into their success story!
Q1: Please tell us a bit about the history of Bigfoot Spuds? When did you open, and what inspired you to start the business?
We conceived the idea for Bigfoot Spuds back in 2019. Back then, it was Bigfoot Sandwiches, and we were in the process of renting a shop in Market Drayton, Shropshire. Unfortunately, we ran into difficulties with the landlord at the time, so before we even got off the ground, the idea collapsed. Fast forward a bit to the end of 2019, and we found another suitable premises, again in Market Drayton. We were well into negotiations on taking a lease, and just as we were about to sign on the dotted line, along came lockdown number one. So, we re-evaluated our options and decided that perhaps this wasn’t the best time to open a business in the hospitality sector. Once again, we were back to the drawing board.
During 2020, we waited and watched for the tide of the pandemic to shift and allow normal-ish life to resume. We kept our eyes on opportunities, but then at the end of 2020, Gaz got a cancer diagnosis, and everything changed. All focus shifted to his treatment and recovery, which took the majority of 2021, and after he was back on his feet, we re-evaluated a lot of things. We sold our house in Shropshire and almost all our worldly possessions, and with one small trailer, moved across the Irish Sea to Enniskillen, where after some time settling in, we started looking for a location.
Sandwiches seemed to have been fairly well covered in Enniskillen. It’s a really great town and has a fantastic food scene, but we needed to come up with something new, and after some time, we landed on jacket potatoes. We had created this fantastic branding previously, and it actually worked pretty well with the new business, so we went with it, and Bigfoot Spuds was born!
Q2: What makes Bigfoot Spuds unique compared to other spud shops in the area? What sets you apart?
There are a few spud shops in Northern Ireland that we are aware of, but none are local. Therefore, we are offering a fairly unique experience within County Fermanagh. The few jacket spud places that exist all seem to favour street trade trailers, which further sets us apart, as we have a sit-in restaurant.
facebook.com/Bigfootspuds
Our food is all freshly cooked and prepared on-site using the finest fresh ingredients. Some of our more popular fillings include barbecue pulled pork with mozzarella cheese, Hunter’s Chicken, and classic beef chili con carne.
Q3: Can you tell me about the promotional product campaign you recently launched? What type of product did you use, and why did you choose it?
We recently approached Hotline to manufacture a line of reusable hot coffee cups that we retail in our store. As a company, we are highly environmentally aware and endeavour, where possible, to limit our impact. We opt for fully recyclable take-out packaging and even choose sustainable wooden cutlery instead of plastic. Therefore, selling a reusable cup was a top priority for us, enticing people to bring them by offering a discount on coffees when they are reused. Having a fully personalised and branded option available from Hotline was the icing on the cake, as it also helps us spread brand awareness in doing so!
Q4: What were the results of the campaign? Did it meet your expectations? Can you share any specific metrics or feedback you received?
It is still too early to have any meaningful metrics, but I can say that we have sold a decent number of units and routinely have returning customers who take advantage of the reusable cup discount. This saves the customer a little money and helps us cut down on our waste, thereby meeting our goal of reducing our impact on the environment.
facebook.com/Bigfootspuds
Q5: How was your buying experience with Hotline Promotional Products?
Our experience with Hotline was great! We were blown away by their 20 minute visual mock-up service, which made the design process a breeze. They worked with us to ensure every detail was perfect before moving forward, and it really paid off in the final product.
Not only was their turnaround time reasonable, but our order arrived in perfect condition, which is always a relief when dealing with shipments. It’s clear that Hotline takes pride in their work and pays attention to the little things that make a big difference. Overall, we couldn’t be happier with our experience.
Q6: What advice would you give to other small businesses considering using promotional products?
Carefully consider which promotional products will integrate well with your business. For us, the reusable cups have been a huge success, and we would consider doing other similar products in the future. However, we also acquired some canvas tote bags, which didn’t align well with our business model, and we still have the majority of them. Nonetheless, we occasionally give them away for charity auctions and promotional giveaways, so they still serve the purpose of promoting our business, albeit with a slower ROI
facebook.com/Bigfootspuds
A Great BIG Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Big Foot Spuds for generously sharing their journey and achievements with us. In today’s business landscape, sustainability plays a crucial role in marketing strategies, with eco-friendly products taking centre stage as people prioritise preserving our planet. At Hotline, we understand this shift and offer a comprehensive range of eco-friendly products to align with your marketing goals for 2024. So, what are our top eco-friendly products so far?
The American Renewable Travel Mug: Crafted with 25% plastic derived from sugar cane, this mug not only reduces plastic waste but also absorbs carbon dioxide during growth, making it a sustainable choice for your daily coffee fix.
Recycled Biodegradable Plastic Trolley Coin Keyring: Designed to naturally biodegrade in various environments, this keyring breaks down 200 times faster than standard plastic, thanks to friendly microbes that digest the polymer. Plus, it’s free from micro-plastics, offering peace of mind for environmentally conscious consumers.
Printed Cotton Tote Bags: Say goodbye to plastic bags and embrace these stylish cotton totes. Made from 5oz natural cotton, they’re not only eco-friendly but also a practical and cost-effective way to promote your brand. Loved by businesses across the UK, these totes ensure your name is seen and remembered while reducing single-use plastic waste.
Why Hotline?
Why choose Hotline? At Hotline, we offer unparalleled benefits to ensure your satisfaction. From our commitment to providing the lowest fully inclusive prices to offering free visual artwork proofs within 60 minutes, we prioritise transparency and quality. With guaranteed delivery dates, you can rest assured that your order will arrive on time, meticulously prepared for your event. Plus, our exceptional customer service team is always available via live chat, email, or phone to address any inquiries or concerns. At Hotline, we prioritise our customers’ needs above all else, ensuring a brilliantly effortless experience from start to finish.
Let’s Join Forces for Your Upcoming Event!
If you have an upcoming event, exhibition, or celebration that could benefit from our sponsorship magic, we’re all ears! Reach out to us at Teams@hotline.co.uk, and we’ll be thrilled to be part of the excitement. Let’s create more unforgettable memories together!