CASE STUDY:
BREAKING BARRIERS IN DINING—WHAT’S CRACKIN TEAMS UP WITH CTA MEDIA TO LEAD INCLUSIVITY IN MESA, AZ
CLIENT: What's Crackin
MISSION: Put What’s Crackin on the map as a culinary leader in inclusivity.
Overview:
A Partnership Rooted in Inclusivity
At CTA Media, inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our heartbeat. As proud members of the autism community, we are on a mission to make the world, especially the travel and hospitality industry, more welcoming for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
When What’s Crackin, a fun and festive eatery in Mesa, Arizona, wanted to take its commitment to inclusivity to the next level, we jumped in with our Travel Inclusivity Program to make it happen. In partnership with Visit Mesa—the first U.S. city to achieve IBCCES Autism Certification—our goal was clear: transform What’s Crackin into the go-to dining spot for the autism community and beyond.
The Challenge: Turning Good Vibes into Great Impact
What’s Crackin already had the good vibes—a sunny patio, an eclectic menu, and a family-friendly atmosphere. But they knew they could do more to truly welcome the autism community. Families managing sensory sensitivities, dietary restrictions like casein-free needs, or a lack of accessible resources often face challenges dining out. What’s Crackin wanted to change that narrative and become a space where every guest could feel at home.
CTA Media's Approach
We brought the full toolkit to the table, combining strategic thinking, heart, and creativity to help What’s Crackin redefine inclusivity. Here’s how we made it happen.
Content Creation and Branding Support:
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Inclusivity Landing Page: Showcased their autism-friendly services and built trust with families looking for a safe and welcoming dining experience.
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Casein-Free Diet Quick Start Guide: A valuable resource to help families navigate dietary restrictions effortlessly.
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Autism-Friendly Event Packages: Tailored birthday and group gathering options to meet unique sensory and dietary needs.
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Social Story - Going to a Restaurant: A visual guide designed to prepare individuals with autism for a positive dining experience at What's Crackin.
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SEO Inclusivity Keywords: Optimized to make What’s Crackin the top result for families searching for autism-friendly dining in Mesa.
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Social Media Strategy: Complete with curated hashtags (#SensoryFriendlyDining, anyone?) and a content calendar to spotlight their inclusive initiatives.
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Press Release: Distributed to ensure the community was in the loop about What’s Crackin’s transformation into a leader in inclusivity.
Implementation & Impact:
What’s Crackin’s transformation wasn’t just a promise—it became a reality.
They rolled out initiatives that resonated with families, including:
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Inclusivity Landing Page:
A dedicated webpage highlighting What’s Crackin’s autism-friendly services, sensory accommodations, and IBCCES accreditation. -
Sensory-Friendly Social Media Campaigns: Highlighting their inclusive practices and creating buzz within the autism community.
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Tailored Event Packages: Offering customizable options for autism-friendly birthdays and group celebrations.
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Casein-Free Menu in Progress: Addressing dietary needs common in the autism community, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious meal.
The Results
Although we're just getting started, the impact of these efforts is clear.
With CTA Media's support, What's Crackin' is making great progress toward building:
Community Trust: Local families now see What’s Crackin as a welcoming, safe space where everyone belongs.
Brand Differentiation: What’s Crackin is earning recognition as a trailblazer in inclusivity, setting a high standard for other hospitality businesses.
New Customer Growth: The café has gained new customers from the autism community, tapping into a vibrant and loyal group they hadn’t connected with before.
Market Expansion: By embracing inclusivity, What’s Crackin has broken into a new community, unlocking opportunities for growth and further engagement.
Looking Ahead
The journey doesn’t stop here. With a Casein-Free Menu on the horizon and plans to launch autism-friendly events, What’s Crackin is setting the gold standard for inclusive dining. They’re proving that inclusivity isn’t a one-time effort—it’s a core value that shapes their future.
"Working with CTA Media has been an absolute game-changer for What’s Crackin. From the moment we partnered with them, it was clear that they not only understood our vision but shared our passion for creating a truly inclusive dining experience. Their dedication to the autism community, combined with their creative expertise, made this collaboration seamless and inspiring.
The impact of their work has been extraordinary. We’ve not only gained new customers but also built meaningful relationships within the autism community—something we’d never fully tapped into before. Families now come to What’s Crackin knowing they’ll find a safe, welcoming space tailored to their needs.
CTA Media’s ability to create engaging, purposeful content, from our Inclusivity Landing Page to our social media campaigns, has put us on the map as leaders in inclusivity. Their support with SEO and branding made sure the message reached the right people. We’ve seen firsthand how inclusivity isn’t just good for the community—it’s great for business.
CTA Media brought their heart and expertise to every step of the process, and the results speak for themselves. We couldn’t be more thrilled with this partnership and the lasting impact it’s had on our restaurant."
Savannah McMillan
Marketing Director, What’s Crackin
Conclusion
At CTA Media, we live and breathe inclusivity because we’re part of the autism community ourselves. Collaborations like this are why we do what we do—empowering businesses to break barriers and create spaces where everyone feels seen, welcomed, and valued.
Together with What’s Crackin and Visit Mesa, we’re building a world where dining out is an experience everyone can enjoy.
Click to learn more about CTA Media's Travel Inclusivity Program
Join the inclusivity movement—create spaces where everyone belongs.
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