18 Food Mascots That Were Retired for Being Creepy
Some food mascots were created to attract customers but ended up retired because they unsettled people instead.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Food mascots are meant to be fun and welcoming, yet not all of them achieved that goal. Over the years, several mascots became known for their strange designs, odd behavior, or uncomfortable appearances. These 18 mascots were eventually retired because they were more creepy than charming.
1. The Noid (Domino’s Pizza)
Will Vinton Studios, Domino’s Pizza on Wikimedia Commons
Introduced in the 1980s, the Noid was a red-suited character meant to represent delays in pizza delivery. While memorable, his strange look and manic behavior made many viewers uneasy. The character also became linked to an unfortunate real-life incident, which damaged his image further. Domino’s retired him, though he later made short reappearances in campaigns.
2. Mac Tonight (McDonald’s)
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
This mascot featured a man with a giant crescent moon for a head, playing piano in commercials during the 1980s. While intended to advertise late-night meals, many viewers found the oversized moon head unsettling. The mascot’s unusual look became a common source of discomfort for children. McDonald’s eventually phased him out of regular advertising.
3. Twinkie the Kid (Hostess)
Bart Everson on Wikimedia Commons
Twinkie the Kid was a cowboy-themed Twinkie with a hat, boots, and a lasso. While iconic, the humanlike features on a snack cake struck many as strange over time. The mascot’s dated design also felt unsettling to newer generations. Hostess scaled back its use in marketing campaigns.
4. Frito Bandito (Fritos)
Solsticed on Wikimedia Commons
Debuting in the 1960s, the Frito Bandito was a cartoon outlaw with a thick accent. While meant to be playful, his exaggerated appearance was considered offensive and creepy. Complaints led to protests, and the character was eventually pulled from advertisements. His retirement marked one of the earliest cases of backlash against food mascots.
5. Mr. Six (Six Flags Tie-in for Food Promotions)
Six Flags on Wikimedia Commons
Although best known for Six Flags ads, this character appeared in promotions tied to theme park food deals. The elderly man in a tuxedo danced to loud music in commercials. Many viewers found his rubber mask and jerky movements unnerving. The character was dropped after several years of use.
6. Hungry Jack Bear (Pancake Mix)
Tom Reynolds on Wikimedia Commons
This bear mascot was part of advertising for Hungry Jack pancake mix. His wide-eyed expression and awkward movements unsettled many children. Instead of being seen as friendly, he often came across as eerie. The character was retired in favor of simpler branding.
7. Pillsbury Doughboy (Later Animations)
Giora Eshkol on Wikimedia Commons
The original Pillsbury Doughboy was charming when first introduced in the 1960s. However, later CGI versions gave him an oddly shiny appearance that some found off-putting. His laugh, once cute, was often described as unsettling in newer ads. The brand scaled back its use after the shift in audience perception.
8. Jack in the Box Clown Head
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek on Wikimedia Commons
The fast-food chain used a clown head as its main mascot in the 1960s and 1970s. The large, static head appeared on signs and in commercials, but many children found it frightening. Its blank stare and oversized features were not inviting. The company eventually redesigned Jack into a more modern character.
9. The Burger King “King”
grassrootsgroundswell on Wikimedia Commons
In the mid-2000s, Burger King revived the “King” mascot with a plastic mask and exaggerated smile. Instead of being fun, the mask was described as creepy and unsettling. The commercials often showed him appearing suddenly in strange places, which added to the discomfort. After years of complaints, the mascot was phased out.
10. Sprout (Jolly Green Giant Sidekick)
Skiba, Justin M. on Wikimedia Commons
Sprout was introduced as a smaller companion to the Jolly Green Giant. His green skin, oversized head, and awkward design often unsettled children. He lacked the friendly appeal of the Giant and became more associated with strangeness. General Mills eventually retired him from ads.
11. Klondike Polar Bear
Alan Wilson on Wikimedia Commons
The polar bear mascot was used to promote Klondike Bars in various commercials. The bear often acted in a lifelike but unnatural way that made some viewers uneasy. Its stiff expressions and forced humor failed to connect with audiences. The company later replaced it with simpler branding.
12. Chef Wendell (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
Fma12 on Wikimedia Commons
This mascot was a cartoon baker who promoted the cereal during the 1980s and 1990s. His high-pitched voice and over-the-top mannerisms unsettled some children. Later ads exaggerated his features, which made him seem less friendly. General Mills eventually replaced him with the “Crazy Squares” characters.
13. Ronald McDonald (Modern Era)
Christopher Michel on Wikimedia Commons
While Ronald McDonald was once a beloved mascot, his clown design became increasingly off-putting over the years. Changing cultural attitudes toward clowns made him appear less fun and more creepy. His bright makeup and exaggerated smile were no longer seen as inviting. McDonald’s gradually reduced its presence in marketing.
14. Pop-Tarts “Crazy Good” Characters
Fma12 on Wikimedia Commons
In the 2000s, Pop-Tarts ads introduced talking toaster pastries with faces. The pastries were often eaten alive in the commercials, which many found disturbing. Instead of being playful, the ads made the characters unsettling to watch. Kellogg’s eventually moved away from this campaign.
15. Kool-Aid Man (Later Years)
Chris Favero on Wikimedia Commons
The Kool-Aid Man was first seen as fun when he crashed through walls, shouting, “Oh yeah!” Over time, the destructive entrances and booming voice were described as scarier than fun. His oversized features also began to unsettle younger audiences. The company reduced his appearances in mainstream commercials.
16. McDonaldland Characters (Grimace, Mayor McCheese, etc.)
玄史生 on Wikimedia Commons
The McDonaldland universe of the 1970s included several strange mascots. Characters like Grimace and Mayor McCheese had oversized heads and odd designs. While imaginative, many children found them bizarre and frightening. McDonald’s eventually retired most of them to focus on simpler branding.
17. Sugar Bear (Golden Crisp)
1950sUnlimited on Wikimedia Commons
Sugar Bear was created to promote Golden Crisp cereal with a laid-back voice and cartoon design. Later versions of the character featured exaggerated animations and a sly personality that some found unsettling. The brand slowly phased him out as tastes in mascots changed. His modern appearances are rare compared to earlier decades.
18. Chiquita Banana Lady (Original Version)
Chiquita Brands International on Wikimedia Commons
The original animated mascot for Chiquita Bananas debuted in the 1940s. The character had human features, but with a banana-shaped head and a fruit hat. While iconic at first, her wide eyes and exaggerated expressions began to feel eerie. Later designs softened the character, and the original version was retired.