Free burgers handed out at George Webb
George Webb Restaurants across the state, including the George Webb in Brookfield, gave out free hamburgers to pay off its Brewers 12 wins in a row prediction.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- George Webb restaurants will give away free burgers after the Milwaukee Brewers achieved a 12-game winning streak.
- This long-standing promotion, dating back to the 1940s, generates significant positive publicity for George Webb.
- The timing of the winning streak coincides with recent flooding in southeastern Wisconsin, providing a much-needed morale boost.
- Experts advise George Webb to ensure its supply chain can handle the anticipated surge in demand for free burgers.
For years George Webb customers have seen the famed prediction of a 12 game winning streak for the local baseball team triggering a free burger for customers.
It’s a gimmick that’s been around since the 1940s when Milwaukee only had a minor league team.
Twice this season the Milwaukee Brewers have flirted with a 12 game winning streak but fell short, until their Aug. 13 12-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“It’s huge from a PR standpoint,” said Callie Murphy, director of earned media at BVK, a local advertising agency. “You can’t ask for this type of PR buzz that George Webbs is receiving.”
The last time the Brewers won 12-straight games was in 2018 when the club won the final eight games of the season and first four playoff games.
This latest winning streak couldn’t have come at a better time to boost the morale of southeastern Wisconsin residents following recent massive rain storms that triggered widespread flooding and millions in damage over a four county area.
“Milwaukee really needs something fun and exciting after these historic floods,” Murphy said.
A free burger can’t undo the damage done to people’s property but for the Brewers and George Webb to align for an afternoon – it’s a start.
“It shows they’re a legacy brand,” Murphy said of Webb. “In a time when there’s so many fast food chains that pop up, it shows they want to stay.”
Murphy said she doesn’t believe there’s much risk for a business like George Webb to have this promotion as long as the company follows through.
“They have to be ready for Brewers fans to come through the door,” Murphy said. “You don’t want to lose momentum… Get people through the door as fast as possible.”
Murphy said Webb does need to make sure its supply chain can keep up with demand when the burgers do become available.
“Maybe there’s a beef shortage in two weeks and they’re not able to do this,” Murphy said. “You got to make sure you have the product on hand.”
Murphy said the decades long promotion adding to the excitement of the team shows how businesses can use sports and news to increase their brand awareness.
“We have such an interesting and special sports market,” “It shows how important it is for brands to stay relevant in the news.”
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