Cannibalistic Chicken McBites TV Ad

Did anyone else notice the cannibalistic scene in one of McDonald's TV ads for their new Chicken McBites?

It's suggestive of feeding chicken to a chicken!

Sure it's just a car that looks like a chicken, but couldn't something similar be said of Chicken McBites themselves?

You can watch the whole ad below, but first, a little about the new Chicken McBites...

First, here's the complete nutritional facts:

McDonald's - Chicken McBites
Nutrition Facts Serv. Size 85g Servings 1 Calories 310   Fat Cal. 170 www.foodfacts.info	Amount/serving	%DV*		Amount/serving	%DV*
	Total Fat 19 g	29%		Total Carb. 22 g	7%
	Sat. Fat 3 g	14%		Fiber 1 g	6%
	Trans Fat 0 g			Sugars 0 g
	Cholesterol 35 mg	11%		Protein 14 g
	Sodium 490 mg	20%
	*Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

And second, here are the ingredients: Chicken breast chunks with rib meat, water, maltodextrin, modified rice starch, yeast extract, sodium phosphates, salt, modified tapioca starch, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, spices, carrageenan, natural (botanical and animal source) and artificial flavors, chicken broth, citric acid, spice extractive, gum arabic, lactic acid, chicken fat. Battered and breaded with: bleached wheat flour, water, wheat flour, food starch-modified, wheat gluten, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), salt, spices, garlic powder, dried onion, dried garlic, maltodextrin, onion powder, citric acid, natural (plant source) and artificial flavors, lactic acid, yellow corn flower, extractives of paprika and turmeric (color).

Our McRib Photo Featured on Fox News

If you happened to catch Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld on Fox News last night, you'd have seen our photo of a 'naked' McDonald's McRib from our "Deconstructing McRib" feature from a few years back.

The hosts and panelists of the show discuss the varied ingredients of the McRib and whether or not that makes them not want to eat it.  When they flash Fast Food News' photo of the McRib up again, one of the panelists, Bill Schulz asks if anyone notices that it looks like a McDonald's Apple Pie.

The segment of the show on the McRib is below and, once again, here's that great 'naked' McRib photo:

But, really, that's not as gross as what's on the inside when you slice it open:

The rest of the photos from our McRib 'expose' are here.  And here's the video from last night:

Jim Gaffigan Talks Fast Food on Letterman

Comedian Jim Gaffigan was on the Late Show with David Letterman and he talked about his love of food and fast food in particular.

You can watch it here:



My favorite bit is when he's talking about his love of Popeye's chicken and his understanding of the name: Popeye is a sailor and their chicken goes through me like a torpedo!

Jamba Juice Making Cheeseburger Smoothies!?!?

See for yourself:

Could it be? Is Jamba Juice really putting burgers and blenders and serving them up with ketchup and mustard!?!?

No way. They're just trying to make a point... as you'll see when you go to their dedicated website for this video & promotion: cheeseburgerchill.com

Their point is that fast food chains are getting into the smoothie business, but that's not their specialty (like Jamba) and they're not doing as good a job. The implication is that fast food restaurants serving healthy, tasty smoothies makes as much sense as Jamba Juice putting a hamburger in a blender.

Just for receiving their little message, they're offering a coupon for $1 off a smoothie.

Has the King infiltrated McDonald's

A tipster sent this video by some guys who were eating their burgers at a McDonald's in San Francisco when they discovered the BK King on the hamburger bun:

Has Burger King found some ingenious viral marketing toasting technique or is this just a BK miracle.

Either way, McDonald's needs to be checking their buns!

The guys who found it have saved the bun and are selling it on ebay (just as they predict in the video below).

Here's the full video:

Thanks to Jen for the tip!

Chipotle Supports Movie About Kids & Food

Chipotle is promoting another film about food (the last was Food, Inc.). This one is aimed at kids and is called What's On Your Plate?

The film is a witty and provocative documentary about kids and food politics that addresses many of the same ideas behind Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" philosophy and the importance of supporting local farms.

"It's amazing to see two young kids address the issue of where our food comes from in such an empowering way," said Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing officer of Chipotle. "It's important for people, including kids, to understand issues related to the food they eat, and we believe this film will reach them in a way that is more informed and honest than is typical in how food is marketed to children."

Have a look at the trailer for the film:

New Salads from Carl's Jr.

Carl's Jr. claims they're making "lettuce luxurious" with 3 new premium salads:

The Cranberry, Apple Walnut Grilled Chicken Salad (pictured) has grilled chicken on top of feta cheese and apple slices, served with dried cranberries, glazed walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. It has a total of 460 calories (300 for the salad and 160 for the dressing) and is priced at $4.99.

The Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad has warm grilled chicken on top of sliced red onions, roasted corn and black beans, shredded cheese and bacon bits with a chipotle Caesar dressing and tortilla strips. This salad has 710 caloris (440 for the salad and 270 for the dressing) and is also $4.99.

Original Grilled Chicken Salad has Warm grilled chicken on top of red onions, shredded cheese, tomatoes, cucumber slices and croutons served with a choice of dressing. This salad (without dressing) has only 200 calories. Add Carl's Low-fat Balsamic Dressing (which has 35 calories) and you're still under 250 calories for this salad. It is priced at $4.79.

The underlying salad mix for all 3 salads was also upgraded to a blend of more than 10 varieties of lettuces including Green Leaf, Baby Spinach, and Arugula.

Carl's has picked Kim Kardashian to introduce the new salads. In the video below, Kardashian invites viewers to join her for an interactive lunch on January 13 on Carl's Facebook page. During the interactive lunch, Kim will chat via webcam with consumers while enjoying her favorite Carl’s Jr. salad. Consumers who purchase any of the new salads between Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Jan. 12 will be given a code granting access to ask Kim questions during the lunch date. No code is required to simply watch the event via streaming video.

“Carl’s Jr. pioneered premium quality entrée salads in fast-food over 20 years ago but other chains have caught up to us in that time while we were focused on bringing sit-down restaurant quality burgers to fast-food consumers,” said Brad Haley, executive vice president of marketing for Carl’s Jr. “Our new line of Grilled Chicken Salads put Carl’s Jr. squarely back in the forefront with salads that are just as big and indulgent as the burgers people have come to expect from us. With ingredients like grilled, marinated chicken, dried cranberries and candied walnuts, these salads are so full of flavor that even our most passionate burger lovers will be enticed by them.”

The Onion: Taco Bell Goes Green [Video]

If you haven't seen it, satirical comedy site "The Onion" has a fake TV news piece about Taco Bell going 'green'... meaning that "from now own, none of Taco Bell's food will come from nature."

The fake Taco Bell spokesperson admits that the meat in Taco Bell's food used to contain 4% real meat, but they have now been able to eliminate even that 4% making it completely unnatural!

Funny stuff!

If you never seen The Onion before, be sure to check it out for more funny, satirical videos and articles.

Here's the Onion's Taco Bell's New Green Menu Takes No Ingredients From Nature:

Fast & Fancy Custom Cokes

Coca-Cola has developed a new 'soda fountain' called the "Freestyle Beverage Dispenser."

It can serve over 100 different beverages... sodas, teas, flavored waters, etc.

Plus, it doesn't take a huge backroom to store all the syrups needed to make this different drinks. Coke uses 'micro doses' of flavorings so that all that is needed in bulk is carbonated water and sweetner.

Some flavors have never been available before in the US and include Raspberry Coke, Fanta Peach, and Grape Volt.

Will we start seeing this in fast food restaurants soon? Only time will tell, but I'm betting yes!

Here's a video demonstration of this machine:

Chipotle to Promote Film "Food, Inc."!

"Food, Inc." is one film that I certainly would never, ever have believed would be promoted in and by a fast food restaurant chain.

But I guess Chipotle isn't your typical fast food chain.  And I'm impressed.

Chipotle has entered into a partnership with the folks behind "Food, Inc." to promote it by sponsoring free screenings and putting promotional materials in all their restaurants. There are also plans for Chipotle to produced their own feature about their commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture, that will be put on the DVD when it is released later this year.

"Food, Inc." is now in theaters and you can watch the trailer below.

The film exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on the environment, the economy and our overall health, and encourages Americans to become more conscious consumers. It is directed by Robert Kenner and features authors Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food).

“I hope that all our customers see this film,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “The more they know about where their food comes from, the more they will appreciate what we do.”

Chipotle has reason to be proud and less reason to be afraid of "Food, Inc." than any other food chain because Chipotle serves more naturally raised meat (from animals that are raised in a humane way, never given antibiotics or added hormones, and fed a pure vegetarian diet) than any restaurant in the world. In addition, an increasing percentage (currently 35 percent) of Chipotle’s beans are organically grown, it is purchasing locally grown produce when seasonally available, and all of the dairy the chain uses is made with milk from cows that are never given the synthetic hormone rBGH.

"Food, Inc." trailer:

Taco Bell's Video, "All About The Roosevelts"

Taco Bell has a new music video that is running in movie theaters and on TV across the country staring Bobby Edner (of Varsity Fanclub).

The music video is for a song called "It's All About The Roosevelts" which features Bobby wrapping about the Taco Bell Value Menu and the money you can save... and some break dancing, too.

Here it is:

Audrina Partridge in Carl's Bikini Ad

It has been a few years since Carl's Jr. heated up TV screens with their ad featuring Paris Hilton in a swimsuit washing a Bentley.

Now it is Audrina Partridge's turn. Partridge's "top-rated bikini body" is featured in a new ad for Carl's Teriyaki Burger. Sex sells fast food, too, apparently:

“During the summer, as my fans know, I’m always on the beach in my bikini,” said Patridge. “But, my one indulgence is the Carl’s Jr. Teriyaki Burger. I love the charbroiled pineapple and the Teriyaki glaze – I seriously crave it.”

The Teriyaki Burger has a charbroiled beef patty, teriyaki glaze, a charbroiled pineapple slice, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayonnaise, on a seeded bun. They are available in a single, double or Six Dollar™ version, and sell for $2.89, $3.89 and $4.69 respectively.

As part of this bikini theme and to further promote the Teriyaki burger, Carl's and Hardee's have partnered with Break Media for a "Hot Chicks Eating Burgers" video contest. 'Hot chicks' are supposed to submit videos of themselves eating burgers at www.HotChicksEatingBurgers.com.

Just a coincidence...
Less than an hour after I wrote the above, FedEx showed up at my door with this pineapple for me from Carl's:

The postcard 'from' Audrina reads: "Having a delicious summer with the Carl's Jr. Teriyaki Burger. Wish you were here... XO, Audrina."

So, since I plan on eating some of this pineapple, that should serve as full disclosure... although I really don't need to do that since I already wrote about it. Hmmmm.

I also wanted to mention that you can find a $1 off coupon for the Teriyaki Burger here.

Portobello Mushroom $6 Burger Back at Carl's

Carl's Jr. is bringing their Portobello Mushroom Six Dollar Burger back to fast food.  It was originally introduced in 2005 and then again in 2007; it will now be a permanent menu item.

It features almost 1/2 pound of Angus beef, topped with Porobello mushrooms sauteed in a garlic-butter sauce, Swiss cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on a seeded bun.

It costs $4.89 or $7.39 for the combo. There is a $1 off coupon available that is valid through 6/30/09.

“The Portobello Mushroom Six Dollar Burger is one of those craveable tastes that people can’t seem to get enough of,” said Brad Haley, executive vice president of marketing at CKE Restaurants. “Maybe that’s because we combine sautéed Portobello mushrooms, often referred to as ‘the steak of vegetables,’ with a big, charbroiled, 100% Black Angus beef patty. In fact, the burger sold even better when we re-introduced it than it did the first time, so this time around we’re making it a permanent menu item.”

“This is a momentous day for mushroom fans,” said Bart Minor, president of the Mushroom Council. “Portobello mushrooms are delicious, versatile and part of a nutritious diet, especially for young hungry carnivores. We know fun guys will really like this burger. Fun guys, fungi…get it?”

Here's the TV ad, "Last Bite," that they'll be using to re-introduce it:

Taco Del Mar's Cinco De Mayo 5-lbs Burrito Challenge

For Cinco de Mayo, Taco Del Mar is rolling up 5 pound burritos on, the biggest in the restaurant chain's history, for their "Cinco de Mondo Five-pounder Burrito-eating Challenge.

On May 5, anyone that can successfully take down the Taco Del Mar’s Cinco de Mondo Five-pounder Burrito within 30 minutes or less gets a $20 Taco Del Mar gift certificate, a variety of Taco Del Mar SWAG and some serious bragging rights! The Five-pounder Burrito, equivalent to four-and-a-half of its Mondo Burritos, is four flour tortillas packed with rice, refried beans, chicken or ground beef, cheese, pico de gallo and a choice of sauces and jalapenos. It’s priced at $17.95.

Anyone up for the challenge should visit a Taco Del Mar on May 5 during regular store hours and ask for the Five-pounder!

Here's a video of a 5-pounder being made:

Padma Lakshmi Loves Carl's Western Bacon

Supermodel and no-nonsense host of Bravo's "Top Chef," Padma Lakshmi shows her love for Carl's Jr.'s Western Bacon Cheeseburgers in new TV ads. The burger is a special love from her youth that helped her transition from vegetarian to carnivore.

"I...started wolfing down bacon Western cheeseburgers [sic] after school at Carl's Jr. The sublimely pleasurable taste of bacon...was further enhanced by its mingling with the barbecue sauce, greedily licked off as it dripped down my teenage fingers," wrote Padma in her latest cookbook, 'Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet,' published in 2007.

That revelation drew the attention of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's advertising agency, Mendelsohn|Zien, which had been tasked with creating a new television campaign for Hardee's introduction of its very own Western Bacon Thickburger. The resulting ads will begin running on March 30th in markets throughout the Midwest and Southeast and will also be shown in limited Carl's Jr. markets on the West Coast beginning March 31st.

You can watch it below, right now:

Jack's Shameless Superbowl Head Trauma

Like millions of others, you probably saw Jack get hit by a bus in the Jack in the Box ad during the Superbowl.

The 'official statement' after the ad says "In lieu of sending flowers, please order anything on the menu, anytime of the day.  Jack would want it that way."

Just another attempt at fast food viral marketing (with a huge Superbowl price tag), and the requisite web site www.hangintherejack.com.

Miss it?  You can see all the Superbowl ads over at Hulu (see below).

But for now, here's some fake cell phone video taken right after the accident:

We wrote about the Denny's Superbowl ad and free Grand Slam on Monday.

The only other fast food Superbowl ad was Taco Bell's. And we think that was a huge FAIL.

Here's all the Superbowl ads (on Hulu):

BK's Interesting Burger Documentary

If you've seen the short versions of Burger King's new marketing concept, we've got the full length version for you to watch below.

It's called "Whopper Virgins" and the idea is to let folks from remote parts of the world, who have never heard of McDonald's or Burger King, try a Whopper and a Big Mac.

But it is more than just your average taste test. Directed by Stacy Peralta (skateboarder turned director, he's an original Z-Boy from Dogtown), the documentary takes an interesting look at people from around the world trying a hamburger for the first time.

Picking up a hamburger is second nature to us, so it is interesting to watch people try to pick up a hamburger for the first time!

Here's the full video (it runs over 7 minutes long):



You can also watch it at BK's Whopper Virgins site.

more on the movie:

"I was eager to sign on to this project when I realized the risk Burger King Corp. was taking to uncover the true nature of peoples' love for the Whopper sandwich," said Stacy Peralta, award-winning director and producer of films such as "Dogtown" and "Made in America." "The footage that my crew and I were able to capture takes a revealing look at the naked truth behind the Whopper sandwich's following."

"The people we encountered along the way were wonderful," said Brian Gies, vice president, marketing impact, Burger King Corp. "They were enthusiastic about sampling our product and even more eager to share their culture, including their own food, with the team conducting the tests."

In keeping with BKC's philanthropic philosophy to give back to the communities in which it lives and works, at the conclusion of each taste test, Burger King Corp. worked cooperatively with local authorities to make donations, tailored specifically to benefit each individual community that participated in the 'study' and make a lasting contribution in each region. The company donated educational supplies and children's toys in Thailand and Greenland that will benefit local schools and increase learning opportunities for children. In Romania, the company helped fund a restoration of a 17th century church, which will enhance one of the community's central gathering places.

CBS News Video: Fast Food Sales Up

According to this CBS News video, we're turning to fast food because of the recession. It saves us money, but is it making us obese?

Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Beats Starbucks

Dunkin' Donuts has been promoting their coffee as an alternative to Starbucks for some time now.

When they promoted their Latte with a TV ad, they spoofed Starbucks' odd names for small, medium and large. I enjoyed that, because when I rarely find myself in a Starbucks I can never remember what they call a medium. (It's "Grande" by the way, I looked it up!)

Now an independent study has found 58%, of 476 people tested that had a preference, prefered Dunkin' Donuts "Original Blend" coffee to Starbucks' "House Blend" coffee.

And Dunkin' isn't being shy about letting everyone know that they beat Starbucks and are going head-to-head with them to compete for their morning coffee business.

The first TV ad promoting this is below. And they've set up a new site, www.DunkinBeatStarbucks.com, to tell the world and let you spread the word, too.

About the test: The double-blind taste test involved 476 adults, each of whom had consumed regular, hot brewed coffee within the past week. For the test, A&G Research used fresh packaged coffee purchased in each brand's stores, tested each brand's most popular flavor (Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend versus Starbucks House Blend), brewed the coffee using equipment recommended by each brand and served it black.

Long John Silver's Intros Freshside Grille

Long John Silver's, the fast food seafood chain, introduced a new menu concept today that they are calling "Freshside Grille." The new menu options are being promoted as healthy, premium seafood entrees.

The 3 new Freshside Grille entrees are (as pictured, top to bottom) Grilled Tilapia in garlic herb sauce, Shrimp Scampi in garlic butter sauce, and Grilled Pacific Salmon in a sauce of red bell peppers, black pepper, garlic and olive oil. Each entree is served on seasoned rice with a breadstick.

Long John Silver's and their nutritionist-for-hire are quick to point out that each of the Freshside Grille entrees have 10 or less grams of fat and no trans fats. But this is only true for the entrees, not the sides shown with them (rice, corn, veggies and breadstick)... the sides add more fat and do have some trans fat.

A statement from Long John Silver's "noted nutrition scientist, author and expert on seafood nutrition," Dr. Joyce Nettleton says, "Fish and shellfish are an important source of protein and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to have health benefits for the heart, eyes, brain, immune system, and for pregnant and nursing women and their babies. Long John Silver's has taken an important step in offering low-fat, non-fried seafood choices with the new Freshside Grille menu."

Fast Food News has the complete nutrition information for Long John Silver's Freshside Grille entrees and sides below, but be certain to take note that the nutrition information for the entrees is not the nutrition information for the meals you see photographed above. It is only for the entrees, not the additional side items.

Long John Silver's is proud to point out that the Gilled Tilapia entree has only 110 calories and 2.5 grams of fat, but if you dine on the Grilled Tilapia as it is shown in the photo, with the rice it is served on, the Vegetable Medley, Corn, and Breadstick you will be consuming 760 calories, 22.5 grams of fat and 2.5 grams of Trans Fat. That's a big difference.

The bed of rice under the entrees come with the entree, but is not included in the nutrition data for the entree. The Vegetable Medley, Corn and Breadstick, along with the Rice add 650 calories, 180 calories from fat, 20 grams of fat, 2.5 grams Trans Fat and 1495 mg of Sodium.

Long John Silver's hasn't updated their main website (www.ljsilvers.com) for a long, long time, but now, to introduce their Freshside Grille concept, they've launched a new web presence at www.freshsidegrille.com.

New Freshside Grille Commercial:

There's also a behind-the-scenes, making-of, video showing the people in the commercial getting hit by the big splash.

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Freshside Grille, complete nurtional information:

With rice and sides (as shown): 760 calories, 200 calories from fat, 22.5 grams fat, 2.5 grams Trans Fat, 1735 mg Sodium.


With rice and sides (as shown): 760 calories, 220 calories from fat, 24.5 grams fat, 2.5 grams Trans Fat, 2055 mg Sodium.


With rice and sides (as shown): 800 calories, 225 calories from fat, 25 grams fat, 2.5 grams Trans Fat, 1935 mg Sodium.