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

        Health tech entrepreneur opening spa on the Plaza; Here’s how its ‘accessible luxury’ comes served with collaboration

        By Tommy Felts | December 19, 2023

        After 20 years as a hospital executive, Ashley McClellan has a new way to help people on their wellness journey, the budding Kansas City serial entrepreneur shared. In January, McClellan and her husband, Brett, plan to open Sojourn Spa in the Cascade Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. “From my perspective, we want our guests…

        Ingredients in your burrito bowl could be grown by agbots; Chipotle’s $50M venture fund wraps investment in Kansas robotics startup

        By Tommy Felts | December 19, 2023

        Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  A minority investment from Chipotle Mexican Grill’s $50 million Cultivate Next venture fund is expected to help bring a Kansas tech company’s autonomous weeding robots into the fold as the…

        New news: This KC shop makes the sold-out hats for Kelces’ popular podcast; now you can find even more merch in store

        By Tommy Felts | December 16, 2023

        Sandlot Goods is taking its new retail space in Leawood to new heights, shared Garret Prather, announcing an in-store exclusive: a partnership that allows Sandlot to locally carry gear from Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast in its shop. Just in time for the last-minute holiday rush, the opportunity offers the perfect gifts for…

        EDCKC boasts right team at the right time, CEO says as agency rebuilds its reputation

        By Tommy Felts | December 15, 2023

        With 18 months of foundational work now laid, Tracey Lewis said, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City is well on its way to rebuilding the trust, respect, and effective communication needed to execute the agency’s economic development goals. That takes repairing bridges between the City of KCMO and the EDCKC, he said, as well…