I go to Subway quite a bit for lunch. There are two locations near where I work in Topeka, Kansas. One, a small Subway without a full menu, is located right across the street so I frequent that one. I go there far too often. So much so that I don’t want to use Foursquare to check-in there because I think it’d be embarrassing for people to see how much I go there. I went so much in a short period of time that the workers once had my sandwich (I order the same one a lot) made for me before I walked in the door.
A few days ago I was there and I decided to check-in and, lo-and-behold, I see the “Special Here” icon on the venue. They’re offering three free cookies with your first check-in. Each Topeka (it doesn’t seem to be nationwide but I’m checking on that) Subway location is offering this deal. Not only have they added a Foursquare special but Topeka Subway is also a user adding tips to their venues. According to their twitter account, they’ll be offering Foursquare Mayor specials in the future. Which means that my massive check-in embarrassment could turn into footlong riches.
What the Topeka Subway franchises are doing is a great example of taking control of their brand and offering up specials to their customers through social media. They’ve taken control of their Foursquare venues and are communicating with customers via twitter. By the way, you should get three white chip macadamia nut cookies for your Foursquare special. They’re great.
Jacinta is the owner of 
