case study

The Squeaky Bean

Reigniting the flame under a previously “hot” restaurant

Challenge

In 2012, The Squeaky Bean was the first restaurant to receive a perfect FOUR stars from The Denver Post. Positive media coverage came effortlessly. Critics loved the funky, eclectic decor, and raved about their rising star executive chef Max MacKissock. Fast forward to 2014, when Chef MacKissock was long gone, and The Squeaky Bean received a 2-star review from The Denver Post; and then to 2015, when they were barely mentioned by the press at all. They now had a thriving farm where they grew much of their produce, but no one knew about it. We were tasked with creating programs and offerings that would put The Squeaky Bean back on the media’s radar.

Results

The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table, their programs and people, were suddenly “everywhere.” We generated dozens and dozens of articles on a frequent basis, both online and print, in outlets such as Denver Post, EATER Denver, 5280 Magazine, Westword and FOX 31 Denver, among others.

Solution

This restaurant needed a brand overhaul. We worked with a brand strategist to reinvent the restaurant as The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table. We managed the redesign of every aspect of the restaurant’s marketing, including the logo and menus. We also hired a photographer, and wrote and managed the creation of a new website. We reworked all of the restaurant’s messaging, placing the restaurant’s educational farm up front, took over their social media, and created a new “year round” farm dinner series, as well as other events. We honed what the restaurant was already doing, created other pitch-worthy programs, brought the media in for media dinners to the restaurant and to the farm, and pitched like crazy.

In Our Own Words:

In addition to being IN LOVE with the people behind The Squeaky Bean, their food, their cocktail program, and their farm, it was exciting to help them spread the word about their farm by rebranding to The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table, and helping promote their farm dinner series.

Challenge

In 2012, The Squeaky Bean was the first restaurant to receive a perfect FOUR stars from The Denver Post. Positive media coverage came effortlessly. Critics loved the funky, eclectic decor, and raved about their rising star executive chef Max MacKissock. Fast forward to 2014, when Chef MacKissock was long gone, and The Squeaky Bean received a 2-star review from The Denver Post; and then to 2015, when they were barely mentioned by the press at all. They now had a thriving farm where they grew much of their produce, but no one knew about it. We were tasked with creating programs and offerings that would put The Squeaky Bean back on the media’s radar.

Solution

This restaurant needed a brand overhaul. We worked with a brand strategist to reinvent the restaurant as The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table. We managed the redesign of every aspect of the restaurant’s marketing, including the logo and menus. We also hired a photographer, and wrote and managed the creation of a new website. We reworked all of the restaurant’s messaging, placing the restaurant’s educational farm up front, took over their social media, and created a new “year round” farm dinner series, as well as other events. We honed what the restaurant was already doing, created other pitch-worthy programs, brought the media in for media dinners to the restaurant and to the farm, and pitched like crazy.

Results

The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table, their programs and people, were suddenly “everywhere.” We generated dozens and dozens of articles on a frequent basis, both online and print, in outlets such as Denver Post, EATER Denver, 5280 Magazine, Westword and FOX 31 Denver, among others.

In Their Own Words:

In addition to being IN LOVE with the people behind The Squeaky Bean, their food, their cocktail program, and their farm, it was exciting to help them spread the word about their farm by rebranding to The Squeaky Bean Farm + Table, and helping promote their farm dinner series.

a few media hits

related work

Case study

Chocolate Lab

Chocolate Lab owner Phil Simonson had long dreamed of owning his own restaurant where chocolate was an ingredient in every dish. When the time came to open his own restaurant, Chocolate Lab, he hired ROOT to launch his one-of-a-kind concept.

learn more
Case study

Door to Door Organics

Door to Door Organics needed PR and Event Management professionals who could be flexible and grow with them as they grew. They hired ROOT Marketing & PR which resulted in a long-lasting relationship.

learn more
Case study

Naturally Boulder

For 15 years, Naturally Boulder's biggest event was held in person. COVID-19 forced the event online for the first time in 2020, and PR was needed to get the word out.

learn more

the good food
agency

newsletter

Every month, the ROOT team digs deeper into good food and marketing trends, news and tips. Sign up here.