McDonald’s is reportedly getting some pushback from franchises and owners over its ‘Famous Orders’ Campaign featuring Cardi B and Offset
Apparently, not everyone’s lovin’ it.
McDonald’s (MCD) – Get Free Report has rung up some impressive numbers with its “Famous Orders” campaign, which features celebrity sponsored meals.
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Rapper Travis Scott’s collaboration with the company a few years back proved to so popular that it reportedly caused ingredient shortages.
In fact, with the introduction of the Travis Scott Meal in September 2020, McDonald’s saw an 11% gain in U.S. app installs from the prior week, according to the market data firm Sensor Tower.
The following year McDonald’s teamed up with the K-pop sensation BTS to highlight their favorite order of medium fries, a medium drink, and Sweet Chili and Cajun dipping sauces inspired by recipes from McDonald’s South Korea.
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Concerns About Celebrity Lifestyles
But it seems that some of the fast-food restaurant chain’s U.S. owners have raised concerns over the chain’s collaborations with celebrities including rappers Cardi B and Offset, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Some owners said a number of McDonald’s locations have declined to promote the current Cardi B and Offset meal because of concerns about being associated with the artists, the Journal reported, citing franchisees and email messages to other owners and the company.
Several McDonald’s franchisees have reportedly said that the artists’ lyrics and lifestyles aren’t aligned with the company’s brand.
Lyrics? You mean like the words to “WAP”, Cardi B’s 2020 hit that features guest vocals from Megan Thee Stallion and includes lines like…well, you’ll have to look those up for yourself.
Some owners wrote that the chosen celebrities could erode McDonald’s family-friendly image, and urged other franchisees to remove advertising and merchandise associated with the Cardi B and Offset meal in their stores.
McDonald’s Claims ‘Widespread Support’
McDonalds did not immediately respond to a request for comment However, the company told the Journal on Feb. 28 that it has received widespread support and excitement from owners and their restaurant employees regarding the Cardi B and Offset meal.
The company said the couple’s promotion, which McDonald’s announced last month, was meant to focus on love and celebrating special moments.
McDonald’s Golden Arches Code for marketing states that promotions and branding shouldn’t include “musical partnerships associated with content that includes offensive language in the lyrics.”
“We’re always thoughtful in what we post on McDonald’s channels and careful to avoid language that might offend,” the company said.
McDonald’s said the Cardi B and Offset meal has driven excitement for the brand, including on social media.
“Wait so the same mcdonalds franchisees who killed it on the travis scott meal, are now complaining about cardi B & offset #McFakeNews,” one person noted on Twitter.
