Ads That Still Make You Hungry
Some fast food commercials hit differently. You're minding your own business, and out of nowhere, a jingle from years ago pops into your head. Maybe it's a goofy mascot or a ridiculous ad that somehow made you need that burger all of a sudden. These commercials became part of pop culture. Let's take a trip down memory lane and look back at 20 unforgettable fast-food commercials.
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1. "Where's The Beef?" (Wendy’s)
Fast food rivalries reached new heights when Wendy's revealed this commercial. Clara Peller’s unimpressed demand, “Where’s the beef?” turned into a cultural punchline overnight. Wendy's secured its place in advertising history by poking fun at its competitors' skimpy burger patties.
2. "The Showdown" (McDonald's)
A game of H-O-R-S-E never felt so intense. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird wagered a Big Mac in a high-stakes trick shot contest, and the phrase "Nothing but net" was born. Decades later, this commercial remains one of McDonald’s most beloved sports tie-ins.
3. "Subservient Chicken" (Burger King)
An ad campaign ahead of its time, this bizarre interactive website lets users type commands for a man in a chicken suit. Promoting the TenderCrisp sandwich, Burger King tapped into viral marketing before it was mainstream. Over 400 million interactions cemented its internet-breaking legacy.
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4. "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" (Taco Bell)
A tiny Chihuahua with a big appetite changed fast food advertising forever. With his signature "Yo quiero Taco Bell" catchphrase, this pint-sized mascot became a 90s icon. The campaign was so effective that sales spiked, though it later faced controversy over cultural stereotypes.
5. "Mac Tonight" (McDonald's)
A singing Moonman crooned about late-night dining, and suddenly, McDonald’s after-hours business took off. Borrowing the melody of "Mack the Knife," this jazzy, sunglasses-wearing mascot became a cult favorite. His eerie charm made him unforgettable and inspired an internet horror meme decades later.
6. "If It Doesn’t Get All Over The Place, It Doesn’t Belong In Your Face" (Carl's Jr.)
Messy eating became a status symbol. Carl's Jr. encouraged diners to cherish dripping sauce and overflowing toppings. This campaign stuck, as evidenced by the brand’s future ads focusing on over-the-top burgers and equally over-the-top eating habits.
Rowanswiki on Wikimedia
7. "Colonel Sanders' Original Recipe" (KFC)
The real Colonel Sanders took center stage, personally promoting his famous 11 herbs and spices. Few fast food mascots can claim to be real people, and Sanders’ folksy charm helped cement KFC as a household name. His white suit became as iconic as his secret recipe.
8. "Stuffed Crust Pizza" (Pizza Hut)
Why eat pizza crust the boring way? Pizza Hut revolutionized the experience by stuffing it with cheese and convincing people to eat it backward. The innovation wasn't just in the pizza—the ad featured celebrities flipping convention, helping this menu item become a permanent favorite.
9. "Two Guys" (Sonic Drive-In)
Casual, unscripted humor made these drive-thru chats legendary. T.J. Jagodowski and Peter Grosz turned simple car conversations into comedic gold, discussing Sonic’s latest offerings with relatable banter. Their chemistry made this one of the longest-running fast-food ad campaigns in history.
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10. "Avoid the Noid" (Domino's)
Pizza sabotage became personal. The Noid, a mischievous character representing delivery disasters, urged customers to choose Domino’s for reliability. This campaign was so memorable it inspired a video game, though its unexpected real-life tragedy led to Noid’s early retirement.
11. "Jack's Back" (Jack In The Box)
Brand mascots often change, but few have made a comeback like Jack. After being "eliminated" in the '80s, Jack returned in the '90s as a suit-wearing executive with a humorous, no-nonsense attitude. His revival gave the brand a fresh identity and a major sales boost.
12. "Jared Fogle Campaign" (Subway)
A guy lost 245 pounds by eating Subway. That was the hook, and it worked. Jared Fogle became the unlikely face of the brand, boosting sales massively. While his later scandal ended the campaign, its initial success reshaped fast-food health marketing forever.
13. "We Have The Meats" (Arby's)
Deep, booming, and impossible to ignore, this slogan announced Arby’s meaty dominance. Voiced by actor Ving Rhames, the campaign made roast beef and brisket sound as appealing as steakhouse dining. The commercial proved that Arby’s meant serious business when it came to meat.
14. "Pizza! Pizza!" (Little Caesars)
Simplicity sells. This two-word slogan became synonymous with Little Caesars' buy-one-get-one pizza deal. The company’s Roman mascot delivered the tagline with unforgettable enthusiasm, which proves that a catchy jingle and a great deal could go a long way.
15. "Time To Make The Donuts" (Dunkin' Donuts)
Repetition never looked so exhausting. Fred the Baker trudged to work daily, always muttering, "Time to make the donuts," showing the relentless effort behind fresh, daily baked goods. The campaign reinforced the brand’s commitment to quality and became a fan favorite.
16. "Have It Your Way" (Burger King)
This commercial emphasized the customer’s ability to customize their order with the now-famous jingle: "Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us." The campaign set Burger King apart from competitors that had a more rigid approach to menu items.
17. "Love That Chicken" (Popeyes)
"Love That Chicken" has been Popeyes’ signature slogan since 1980, capturing the bold, Louisiana-style flavors that make its crispy, seasoned chicken legendary. Over time, the jingle became a cultural hit, which fueled viral marketing and fan devotion.
18. "You Gotta Eat" (Checkers/Rally's)
This campaign was straightforward and relatable, and it reminded people that no matter what, they needed food. The slogan emphasized affordability and hunger satisfaction. Though not as flashy as others, its no-nonsense appeal made it a memorable part of fast-food advertising history.
19. "What You Crave" (White Castle)
Late-night snackers knew the truth: White Castle cravings were real. This campaign leaned into its cult following, turning sliders into more than just food—they were a necessity. The tagline captured White Castle’s unique appeal, which made it a beloved choice for night owls.
20. "Eat Mor Chikin" (Chick-fil-A)
Cows encouraging people to eat chicken was a clever marketing move. Chick-fil-A's mischievous bovine mascots held up poorly spelled signs, urging customers to choose chicken. The humor and simplicity made this one of the most recognizable and enduring fast-food campaigns of all time.
