13 Weird Fast Food Promotions from the ’80s
These 13 fast food promotions from the 1980s were strange, bold, and sometimes completely confusing.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1980s were a time when fast food chains experimented with over-the-top and often bizarre promotions to grab public attention. From movies and board games to magic tricks and lotteries, brands tried almost everything to stand out. Looking back now, some of these campaigns feel more like fever dreams than marketing strategies.
1. McDonald’s “McDLT” Two-Compartment Packaging
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
The McDLT came in a styrofoam container that kept the lettuce and tomato cold and the meat hot. Customers had to assemble the sandwich themselves. The packaging was bulky and environmentally criticized even at the time. It was discontinued in the early 1990s.
2. Burger King’s “Where’s Herb?” Campaign
grassrootsgroundswell on Wikimedia Commons
In 1985, Burger King launched a nationwide hunt for a fictional character named Herb, who had never eaten a Whopper. Customers were encouraged to identify him for a cash prize. The campaign confused many people and failed to increase sales. Burger King quietly ended it less than a year later.
3. McDonald’s “Mac Tonight”
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
In 1986, McDonald’s introduced a crooner character with a moon-shaped head that played the piano and sang a jingle promoting dinner hours. The character was meant to appeal to adults during evening meals. While visually striking, it was eventually retired due to low impact and a legal issue involving a similar character. The costume and music videos have since become cult internet content.
4. Pizza Hut’s “Book It!” Reading Program
Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 1984, this program gave free personal pan pizzas to kids who completed a set amount of reading. It was promoted heavily in schools and by teachers. The campaign helped Pizza Hut build positive brand recognition among families. It remains one of the few long-running 1980s promotions still in place today.
5. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?”
Nheyob on Wikimedia Commons
This 1984 campaign featured elderly actress Clara Peller asking, “Where’s the beef?” in reference to skimpy burgers. The phrase became a national catchphrase almost overnight. It helped Wendy’s boost sales and brand recognition significantly. The ad campaign is still referenced in pop culture decades later.
6. McDonald’s “Olympic Scratch-Off” Promotion
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
During the 1984 Summer Olympics, McDonald’s gave out scratch cards with events on them. If the U.S. won a medal in that event, customers received free food. The U.S. dominated the Olympics that year, leading to unexpectedly high food giveaways. McDonald’s reportedly lost millions due to the promotion.
7. Taco Bell’s “Taco Light”
Medelam on Wikimedia Commons
In 1985, Taco Bell introduced the Taco Light, a lower-calorie taco aimed at health-conscious consumers. It was promoted as a smarter choice with fewer calories. Critics pointed out that it was still high in fat and sodium. The product failed to gain traction and was pulled shortly after.
8. McDonald’s “Garfield Mugs”
Sam Howzit on Wikimedia Commons
In the late 1980s, McDonald’s released a line of glass mugs featuring Garfield the cat. Each had different designs based on popular comic strips. Customers could purchase them for a low price with a meal. The mugs became popular collectibles but were later pulled from production due to safety concerns about the paint used.
9. Burger King’s “Dinner with Alf” Sweepstakes
AntonioMartin on Wikimedia Commons
In 1988, Burger King ran a promotion offering a chance to win a dinner with ALF, the alien character from the NBC sitcom. Customers could collect themed toys and enter sweepstakes through meal purchases. It was one of several ALF brand tie-ins during the show’s peak popularity. The promotion ended with limited press coverage.
10. Domino’s “Avoid the Noid”
Michael Barera on Wikimedia Commons
Domino’s created the Noid character in 1986, a red-suited figure who tried to ruin pizzas by making them cold or late. The company ran ads showing Domino’s successfully avoiding the Noid by delivering hot pizzas on time. The character was dropped after an unrelated real-world incident involving someone with the last name Noid. Domino’s later revived the character in 2021 for nostalgia marketing.
11. Hardee’s “California Raisins” Kids’ Meal Toys
Missvain on Wikimedia Commons
Hardee’s partnered with the California Raisin Advisory Board to offer toys based on the claymation characters. The campaign included music videos and commercials featuring raisin characters dancing and singing Motown hits. The toys became widely collected and were sold with kids’ meals. Hardee’s used the promotion to attract families but discontinued it as interest faded.
12. McDonald’s “Magic Show” Tie-In
Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons
In 1983, McDonald’s gave out small magic trick kits in Happy Meals. The kits included simple props like disappearing coins and trick cards. The promotion was aimed at sparking interest in stage magic among children. It ran for a limited time and was not repeated.
13. Pizza Hut’s “Pac-Man Glasses”
Ed! on Wikimedia Commons
In 1982, Pizza Hut offered a series of collectible drinking glasses featuring Pac-Man and other arcade characters. The glasses were released during the height of Pac-Man’s popularity. Customers could purchase them with a meal for a small additional fee. Many of these glasses are now vintage collectibles.