From Burger-Scented Perfume to The KFC Dating Game: 20 Craziest Fast Food PR Stunts
From Burger-Scented Perfume to The KFC Dating Game: 20 Craziest Fast Food PR Stunts
Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?
Fast food brands have done crazy things to get in front of consumers, and it’s pretty hilarious to see their highs and lows. With that in mind, here are 20 insane things fast food franchises actually did in the name of marketing.
1. Colonel Sanders Dating Sim
There is a genre of dating sims with anime-style art better known as “otome” games. They usually involve reading through romantic narratives and making decisions to pursue a wide variety of cast. The last thing anyone expected was a dating sim from KFC where you could romance the colonel himself.
2. The Snapple Popsicle
Making the largest version of something is a tried and true strategy for creating large frozen treats, and with that in mind, Snapple tried to create a 25-foot-tall popsicle with Snapple juice. Unfortunately, New York City was experiencing terribly warm climates, causing the popsicle to melt almost immediately and cover the street in sludge. It’s clear to see that the people of New York City were not a fan.
3. Taco Liberty Bell
Remember that time Taco Bell bought Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell? Well, in 1996, the franchise took out an ad in the New York Times claiming to have done that very thing. It was luckily a joke and just a joke, but it certainly helped showcase their brand.
4. KFC the Movie
You’re going to see KFC’s name pop up a few more times, they’re literally the king of publicity stunts like this. Well, A Recipe for Seduction surprisingly received a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and follows the romance story between the Colonel and his original recipe.
5. Register for Pizza
Of course, when it comes to planning a wedding meal, all anyone really wants is pizza, right? Well, if not, Domino’s was none the wiser when they launched a wedding registry. Now couples can register for what they really want – pizza.
6. A McDonald's Wedding
Building on the idea of mingling romance with food, McDonald's took it to the next level when Hong Kong franchises offered to host weddings at their restaurant. They went as far to offer a variety of customized wedding packages.
7. Car Roof Cups
Starbucks has had quite the storied PR past. Remember that time their cup accidentally showed up in a Game of Thrones episode? Well, in 2005, they sent out ambassadors in cars with Starbucks cup replicas stuck to their roofs. When worried bystanders approached and warned the cars, the ambassadors would reward them with a Starbucks gift card.
8. Welcome to the Bell
When it comes to picking out hotels, Taco Bell decided to add themselves to the competition when they started their pop-up hotel in Palm Springs, California. It was an entirely Taco Bell-themed hotel with plenty of snacks and cocktails on offer.
9. World on Fire
Taking a more hazardous approach, El Pollo Loco decided instead of making big food items, they might as well make the world’s biggest man-made fire. This was to promote their flame-grilled chicken. However, the plot twist was that they likely never attempted it, and spectators found themselves simply attending a commercial filming.
10. The KFC Console
Welp, KFC certainly knows how to appeal to multiple demographics. In 2020, they launched the KFC Console, which was a PC gaming system that looks a lot like a bucket of chicken and yes… it can even keep your chicken warm for you.
Spencer Scott Pugh on Unsplash
11. The United Nations
KFC is so committed to the bit, that Colonel Sanders even visited the United Nations. This actor made it all the way through security and even got to get into restricted areas where he shook hands with the president of the United Nations General Assembly.
12. Burger King Cologne
Nothing sounds more disgusting than cologne that smells like Burger King, but alas, that’s exactly what the franchise did in 2008. They marketed it as the scent of seduction hilariously, and New York City stores actually sold the product to civilians.
13. The Eau D’uardo
KFC isn’t scared to take inspiration from others and decided to hop onto the fragrance train as well. As a special treatment in 2021, they created a perfume shaped like a chicken drumstick that supposedly smells like Colonel Sanders and his blend of spices.
14. Fake Sun
We’ve heard of fake moons, but what about fake suns? Well, in London, Tropicana launched their fake sun in 2012. This fake sun was made of over 60,000 light bulbs and was held over Trafalgar Square.
15. Smells Like Pizza
Burger King isn’t the only company to try scented products. In fact, Pizza Hut joined the 2012 fragrance craze by offering perfumes that smelled like freshly baked pizza dough. The only way to get your hands on this product now is likely through eBay.
16. Colonel Delivery
Another fun KFC stunt was when, in 2011, Colonel Sanders-dressed employees went around delivering $5 everyday meals to hardworking folks in the city of Chicago. The window washers who got these meals weren’t the only ones to benefit, as the city won’t be remembering the niceness anytime soon.
17. Burger King Besties
Deciding to wreak havoc on the world, Burger King decided to put friendships to the test. In January 2009, the Whopper Sacrifice had people unfriend 10 pals on Facebook to get a coupon for a Whopper.
Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash
18. KFC, But in Space
KFC is no stranger to funny stunts, and in 2006, they decided to create a logo so massive that it could be seen from space. With this in mind, they created an 87,500-square-foot logo at Area 51 of all places in order to catch more extraterrestrial eyes according to them.
19. Pepsi, Where is my Jet?
There’s apparently a documentary exploring the fact that Pepsi has yet to deliver on the jet they promised to whoever could reach seven million Pepsi points. Well, one person actually succeeded in doing so, but when he took Pepsi to court, the judge sided with the corporation saying it was unreasonable for a person to think a promotion would actually get them a fighter plane.
20. KFC Potholes
Let’s wrap up the list with one more look at the king of fast food PR stunts. In 2009, KFC decided to help out the city of Louisville by fixing over 350 potholes at only $3,000 per hole. This was quite a save for the city, and in return, KFC got to stick some branding on each covering.
