The brands are promotin’ some ball: KC businesses look to capitalize on Royals’ playoff return

October 2, 2024  |  Olivia Mizelle

The Kansas City Royals' mascot Sluggerrr mimes to fans at Kauffman Stadium in August 2024 during the regular season; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon.

Click here to read the original story.

The Kansas City Royals are back in the Major League Baseball postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015, and fans aren’t the only ones celebrating. Local businesses throughout the Kansas City area are hosting watch parties, promoting merchandise and cutting prices in honor of the Royals.

As the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series Tuesday, Kansas City businesses were busy publicizing baseball-themed promotions on social media.

Charlie Hooper’s Brookside Bar & Grille in Kansas City is part of the Royals Home Team Program, and it played Tuesday’s Wild Card games on its TVs. Both games took place during Charlie Hoopers’ happy hour, which includes a variety of drink specials.

The Royals Home Team Program features a dozen Kansas City-area bars and restaurants that partner with the team as venues for game day viewing.

Another restaurant that rolled out a playoff promotion is Meat Mitch BBQ, which hosted watch parties for Tuesday’s games. In an Instagram post, the restaurant said it would be playing the game on all 20 of its HD TVs and serving game day specials and happy hour drinks.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Meat Mitch BBQ (@meatmitchbbq)

Price Chopper is one of the Royals’ local sponsors, and the supermarket chain posted Monday on social media that shoppers could earn 100 bonus rewards points for every run the Royals score in the playoffs, if they make a $25 purchase the following day.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Price Chopper (@my_pricechopper)

Price Chopper also offers “Steal a Deals” during the regular season, offering fans discounts depending on what game they attend and where they sit.

Local Kansas City clothing stores are also getting excited about the Royals’ recent success.

Made in KC, a local gift and apparel store, leaned into the fact that it has been nine years since the Royals have been in the postseason in its Instagram caption Monday.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Made In KC (@madeinkc_)

It promoted its updated Royals gear and encouraged fans to buy the apparel.

Charlie Hustle, a Kansas City sports apparel brand, announced on X that it is releasing a shirt that reads “Give It Everything You Got,” inspired by former Royals Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer — two stars of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2024 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Jeff Rohr, SquareOffs

        MTC hits $50M investment milestone through its state-sponsored venture capital program

        By Tommy Felts | April 30, 2024

        JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — A Show-Me State program launched a decade ago to drive economic development in Missouri and support tech founders has surpassed $50 million in equity-based investments for nearly 160 Missouri-based technology startups. The Missouri Technology Corporation announced the milestone Tuesday, lauding its Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Advancement (IDEA) Fund for impact that…

        How Independence’s new speakeasy vibes tie into the ‘goats and rabbits’ of Kansas City’s past

        By Tommy Felts | April 27, 2024

        Revitalization efforts needn’t overwrite history, said Bree and Travis Gensler, whose new venture in downtown Independence aims to infuse spirits of 2024 into the historic square without losing memories of the area’s storied past. Their latest pour: The Sentinel Room. Four years ago, the couple purchased a building on Lexington Avenue that contains three commercial…

        Gains you can see: StratFit’s new gym in Waldo reps digital fitness platform’s heavy lifting 

        By Tommy Felts | April 27, 2024

        With his NYC-inspired training studio in Waldo opening earlier this spring, Daniel McKee wants to keep busy professionals motivated to stick to their fitness goals — and use the space to refine and advance adoption of his tech platform. “Everyone that comes to the door is very impressed with the place, we tried to make…

        Former college startup founders reunite for brunch concept: Why they jumped at this franchise twist

        By Tommy Felts | April 25, 2024

        WICHITA, Kansas — Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson — two former Wichita State students turned entrepreneurs — are teaming up once again, this time for brunch, they shared. The high school friends and co-founders of 618 Ventures and Player Card are partnering with a mentor to bring the upscale, Orlando-based brunch concept Another Broken Egg…