13 Fast Food Commercials That Would Get Canceled Today
Several fast food commercials from the past included content that would now be considered offensive, outdated, or inappropriate.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Fast food advertising has changed a lot over the years. In the past, some ads used stereotypes, body shaming, or suggestive themes to get attention. These 13 commercials would likely face strong public backlash if they aired today.
1. McDonald’s “Clean Up After Yourself” Ad (1980s)
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This ad showed a group of rowdy teenagers being lectured by an elderly woman for not cleaning their table. It portrayed teens as careless and disrespectful without any nuance. The message relied on generational stereotypes for effect. Today, this type of framing would be criticized as unfair and out of touch.
2. Burger King “Herb the Nerd” Campaign (1985)
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This campaign mocked an awkward character named Herb who had never eaten a Whopper. It leaned into the “nerd” stereotype for laughs and encouraged customers to find him in stores. The tone promoted public shaming and social exclusion. It would not align with today’s focus on inclusion and respect.
3. Hardee’s “Girlfriends” Commercial (2003)
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This ad showed two women discussing a man’s bad behavior, only to say he redeemed himself by bringing them Hardee’s. The messaging suggested food could excuse disrespectful conduct. Critics saw it as trivializing relationship problems. It would likely be rejected today for reinforcing unhealthy dynamics.
4. Carl’s Jr. “Paris Hilton Car Wash” (2005)
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This ad featured Paris Hilton washing a car in a swimsuit while eating a burger. It was highly sexualized and targeted at a male audience. Critics said it objectified women and had little to do with the food. Many modern brands avoid this type of advertising due to public sensitivity to gender issues.
5. McDonald’s “Big N’ Tasty Rap” (2000)
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This ad featured a group of people rapping about a burger in a way that mimicked hip-hop culture. It was seen as an attempt to profit from Black culture without real representation. Many considered it tone-deaf and performative. Today, it would face pushback for cultural appropriation.
6. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” Spinoffs (1984–85)
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Though iconic, some later versions of the “Where’s the Beef?” campaign used elderly actors in ways that made aging the punchline. These ads reinforced ageist stereotypes and exaggerated forgetfulness for humor. Modern audiences would likely find this insensitive, as age-based humor is more carefully handled now.
7. Taco Bell “Fry Guys vs. Nachos” (1990s)
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This animated commercial depicted fast food items as characters in a fight. The voices and mannerisms were based on exaggerated ethnic accents. It was criticized for stereotyping and misrepresenting different cultures. Today, this type of portrayal would not be approved by major networks.
8. Jack in the Box “Drive-Thru Confessional” (2004)
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In this ad, customers confessed embarrassing secrets at the drive-thru window. Some of the content included weight jokes and crude humor. It was meant to be funny but ended up reinforcing body shaming and personal mockery. Current advertising standards are stricter about mental health and body image.
9. Subway “Jared” Ads (2000–2015)
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These ads focused on Jared Fogle, who lost weight by eating Subway sandwiches. While the ads promoted healthier eating, they also contributed to body shaming and an oversimplified view of weight loss. Fogle’s later criminal conviction caused further backlash. The brand has since moved away from personal weight stories.
10. Pizza Hut “Pizza Head Show” (1990s)
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This series featured a slice of pizza with a face being harmed or threatened in every episode. It was intended as a parody of slapstick humor. However, some scenes included imagery that resembled violence or bullying. Today’s standards around kids’ advertising would likely reject this tone.
11. KFC “Colonel’s Women” Ad (2016, Australia)
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This ad featured women in tight uniforms dancing around a new version of Colonel Sanders. It was meant to be playful but was seen as sexist and outdated. Critics said it used women as props rather than characters. The commercial was pulled shortly after airing due to public complaints.
12. McDonald’s “Dead Dad” Ad (2017, UK)
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In this commercial, a boy asks his mother about his late father and is comforted by a shared love of McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. Viewers felt the brand used grief to sell food. It was seen as emotionally manipulative and inappropriate. The ad was withdrawn after backlash.
13. Burger King “Women Belong in the Kitchen” Tweet (2021)
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While not a TV ad, this social media campaign was tied to a scholarship for women in culinary arts. The initial tweet sparked outrage for using a sexist phrase, even if the goal was to challenge it. Critics said the execution was insensitive and poorly timed. Burger King deleted the tweet and issued an apology.