Back in Time Today
Fast food has always been about quick bites and big flavors—but it’s also been home to some of the weirdest marketing stunts and menu items ever cooked up.
From glow-in-the-dark packaging to baffling burger experiments, these gimmicks left customers scratching their heads (or lining up out the door). Here are 15 of the strangest fast-food gimmicks that actually happened.
1. Burger King’s Halloween Black Whopper
In 2015, Burger King introduced the Halloween Black Whopper, featuring a bun tinted with A1 sauce to achieve its dark hue. While it was meant to be a spooky treat, many customers were more shocked by the odd side effect it had—turning their waste an unexpected shade of green.
The Black Whopper was part of a larger push to create buzz around Halloween, yet it raised more eyebrows than anticipated. This marketing stunt was short-lived, but it left a memorable mark on those brave enough to try it.
2. McDonald’s McDLT
The McDLT was McDonald’s ambitious attempt to keep burger elements at their ideal temperatures. Introduced in the 1980s, it came in a special styrofoam container that separated the hot beef patty from the cool lettuce and tomato.
The idea was innovative, yet the environmental impact of the packaging led to its downfall. Although the McDLT had a catchy jingle and a strong marketing push, it ultimately failed to become a permanent menu staple. Today’s fast-food aficionados might appreciate the quirky attempt at temperature control.
3. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer, introduced in the ’70s and ’80s, was an unusual departure from the chain’s traditional menu. It essentially took seasoned taco beef and transformed it into a sloppy joe-style sandwich.
While this might have seemed like a clever way to Americanize their offerings, it didn’t resonate with customers who craved the brand’s signature Mexican-inspired flavors. The Bell Beefer was discontinued but remains a nostalgic memory for those who experienced this quirky item.
4. Pizza Hut’s Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut’s Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza was a culinary enigma that debuted internationally before reaching the U.S. in 2015. Hot dogs were baked directly into the crust, making each slice a combination of pizza and hot dog.
This concept was part of a trend of outrageous crust innovations, aiming to attract adventurous eaters. While it piqued curiosity, it was more of a novelty than a lasting addition to the menu. The strange fusion of two fast-food favorites was both bewildering and briefly entertaining.
5. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
Before Chicken McNuggets became a McDonald’s staple, the company experimented with Onion Nuggets in the late 1970s. These were chunks of onions, battered and fried to a crispy finish.
Despite their potential as a vegetarian option, Onion Nuggets didn’t capture the public’s imagination and were eventually phased out. However, they paved the way for the eventual success of the iconic Chicken McNuggets, proving that fast-food innovation sometimes requires a bit of trial and error.
6. KFC’s Double Down
The KFC Double Down was a bold creation that ditched the traditional bun in favor of two fried chicken fillets. Inside, it held bacon and melted cheese, creating a decadent, protein-packed meal. Launched in 2010, it sparked debates over health and indulgence but generated significant media attention.
While it seemed outlandish, it attracted enough interest to become a recurring limited-time offer. The Double Down exemplifies how fast-food chains toy with conventional food structures to surprise and delight their audience.
7. Domino’s Oreo Dessert Pizza
Domino’s ventured into dessert territory with its Oreo Dessert Pizza in the early 2000s. This sweet creation featured a cookie-like base topped with Oreo crumbs and icing, aiming to offer a novel twist on the traditional pizza experience.
Though it was a sugar lover’s dream, it didn’t manage to maintain a permanent spot on the menu. The Oreo Dessert Pizza was a reminder of the brand’s willingness to experiment beyond savory pies and attempt to capture the dessert crowd’s imagination.
8. Burger King’s Satisfries
In an attempt to cater to health-conscious customers, Burger King introduced Satisfries in 2013. These fries promised less fat and fewer calories, with a distinctive crinkle-cut design that set them apart from traditional fries. Despite initial enthusiasm, Satisfries failed to win over enough fans and were discontinued shortly after their launch.
The idea behind Satisfries was innovative and showed an attempt to adapt to changing consumer preferences, but ultimately the allure of traditional fries proved too strong.
9. McDonald’s Bubblegum-Flavored Broccoli
In an unusual attempt to make vegetables more appealing to children, McDonald’s tested Bubblegum-Flavored Broccoli in 2014. While the concept was audacious, it didn’t sit well with its target audience—kids found the taste confusing, and parents were skeptical of its nutritional value.
The broccoli never made it to the official menu, but it showcased McDonald’s willingness to think outside the box in its quest to promote healthier eating habits among young customers. This peculiar experiment remains a curious footnote in fast-food history.
10. Taco Bell’s Cap’n Crunch Delights
Taco Bell’s Cap’n Crunch Delights were introduced in 2015 as a sweet breakfast option. These donut-hole-style treats were coated in Cap’n Crunch cereal crumbs and filled with sweet icing, offering a crunchy and sugary indulgence.
While they provided a whimsical start to the day, their novelty appeal was fleeting, and they were eventually discontinued. The Cap’n Crunch Delights showcased Taco Bell’s playful approach to breakfast, aiming to attract adventurous eaters with a penchant for sugary morning treats.
11. Jack in the Box’s Bacon Shake
Jack in the Box’s Bacon Shake was a promotional stunt that combined the sweet and savory flavors into a milkshake. Released in 2012, it intrigued and bewildered customers, many of whom were curious to try the pork-infused concoction.
Although it was part of a limited-time offer, the Bacon Shake left an impression due to its sheer audacity. It epitomizes the adventurous spirit of fast-food chains willing to push the boundaries of traditional flavors, even if just for a promotional gimmick.
12. McPizza
In an effort to diversify its menu, McDonald’s introduced the McPizza in the late 1980s. This personal-sized pizza aimed to capture a slice of the pizza market but faced challenges such as long cooking times and the need for additional equipment.
Despite initial excitement, the logistical issues hindered its success, and it was eventually phased out. The McPizza experiment highlights the fast-food giant’s attempts to innovate beyond burgers and fries, and its willingness to explore new culinary avenues.
13. Dairy Queen’s Breeze
Dairy Queen’s Breeze attempted to offer a lighter alternative to the beloved Blizzard by using frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Launched in the 1990s, it targeted health-conscious consumers seeking a guilt-free dessert option.
However, it struggled to gain the same popularity as its creamy counterpart, resulting in its quiet discontinuation. The Breeze represents DQ’s efforts to cater to changing dietary trends, though it ultimately proved that the indulgent appeal of the original Blizzard was hard to match.
14. Pizza Hut’s Crown Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut’s Crown Crust Pizza was an indulgent creation offered in the Middle East and UK. This extravagant dish featured a crust embedded with mini cheeseburgers or chicken nuggets, providing a meal within a meal.
The Crown Crust Pizza was part of a series of ambitious and attention-grabbing innovations aimed at attracting adventurous eaters. While it garnered curiosity and press coverage, it was more of a novelty than a lasting menu item, showcasing Pizza Hut’s flair for combining indulgence with creativity.
15. Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa
Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa challenged the traditional taco concept by crafting a shell entirely out of fried chicken. Inside, it held typical taco fillings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Launched in 2017, it was a crunchy, protein-rich creation that intrigued fast-food fans looking for something new.
While it was a limited-time offering, the Naked Chicken Chalupa left a lasting impression as a testament to Taco Bell’s ability to reinvent its menu creatively and push the boundaries of conventional food structures.