View this email in your browser

By Matthew Rees

Food and Health Fact #138: Celebrity endorsements of fast food

Follow me on Twitter: @foodhealthfactsFind all previously published Food and Health Facts here

As fast-food outlets seek to attract new customers, they are increasingly turning to celebrity endorsements – with special emphasis on attracting young people. Much of the marketing is playing out through social media, such as Mariah Carey promoting a different “free” McDonald’s product (after a $1 purchase) from December 13-24, available exclusively through the McDonald’s app. Since the company’s celebrity endorsements began in September 2020, with rap star Travis Scott, its app has been downloaded 10 million times, according to a recent article in the New York Times.

The article's authors pointed out that the celebrity partnerships “are also helping brands gain access to where millions of digital natives spend tons of time: Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms.” McDonald’s freely admits that it is targeting young people via social media. “If you think about the target we’re focusing on, which is youth and youth culture, that’s where they’re living,” one of the company’s vice presidents told the Times.

McDonald’s is not alone in deploying celebrities for marketing purposes. Dunkin’ Donuts has a foam drink named for Charli D’Amelio, a 17-year-old TikTok sensation with more than 130 million followers. The large version of the “Charli” contains 68 grams of sugar (61 of them added sugars). Burger King has “Lil Huddy” meal, named for 19-year-old singer Chase Hudson, which features a chicken sandwich, mozzarella sticks, and a chocolate shake – more than 2,400 calories and almost 100 grams of fat. And Popeyes – home to multiple menu items extremely high in sodium and fat – is endorsed by rap star Megan Thee Stallion, who is now a franchisee. “I’m appreciative of Popeyes' commitment to empowering Black women and look forward to opening Popeyes restaurants,” she declared in October.

A spokesman for the parent company of Popeyes and Burger King told the Times, “As it relates to our celebrity-inspired meals, we understand these can be popular with younger guests and our intention is that they be enjoyed as a treat during the limited period through which they are offered.”