Running a successful franchise business in the fast food industry can be difficult as you’re constantly trying to grab people’s attention in an extremely competitive market.

If you’re looking for ways to stand out and get customers to notice you, why not take a page from the book of some of the country’s biggest fast-food franchises?

1. Greggs' Vegan Sausage Rolls: A Meat-Free Revolution

Greggs caused a stir in 2019 with the launch of their vegan sausage roll. This unexpected move tapped into the growing trend of plant-based diets, generating significant media attention and driving sales. The packaging was designed to be visually similar to the meat version, while clearly indicating the vegan status so as not to confuse customers.

2. KFC's "Make It KFC” Campaign

People love chicken coated in the famous KFC herbs and spices, but have you ever wondered how other food items would taste with the same flavour?

KFC wanted to make other foods into KFC items and invited people to get involved. From pizza to spinach, they went through lots of different options – some that would turn out a little better than others.

Lots of people got involved on social media and even made people realise how much they were craving some KFC chicken!

3. McDonald's Celebrity Meals

McDonald's "Celebrity Meals" campaign is a masterclass in leveraging cultural trends. Partnering with high-profile celebrities like BTS and Saweetie, McDonald's creates limited-edition meals inspired by the stars' style. 

The key? Custom food packaging and printed food containers that reflect the celebrity's personality and fanbase. 

These limited-edition boxes become collector's items, driving social media buzz and encouraging repeat customers

4. Subway's "Vegang"

In 2021, Subway partnered with vegan grime artists to create "Vegang," a song that celebrated Earth Day and promoted its plant-based menu. 

The campaign featured a music video that used ‘PlantWave’ technology to capture the sounds of plants used in Subway's menu. The unique packaging for the campaign featured QR codes that led to the music video and additional campaign content.

5. Domino's "High Four"

Domino's "High Four" campaign aimed to promote their new £4 lunch menu and featured TV adverts where people celebrated their affordable lunch options by giving high fours. 

The "High Four" gesture became a visual identifier for the campaign, encouraging customers to share their own "High Four" moments on social media.

Tags: fast food, food industry, business tips, marketing campaigns