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Restaurant brands jump on the streetwear and merchandise bandwagon en masseRestaurant brands jump on the streetwear and merchandise bandwagon en masse

McDonald's, Whataburger, KFC, The Halal Guys and more release swag for the summer

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

August 23, 2021

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This summer seemed to hold more food and merchandise collaborations than last summer, ushered in by the massive success of McDonald’s line with BTS. Restaurants from quick service to fast casual have partnered with collaborators to create phone cases, apparel, pillows, tech accessories and lifestyle items so customers and fans can wear what they like to eat.

In fact, McDonald's released a merchandise collaboration with its latest celebrity, Saweetie, just this week.

The streetwear trend of last winter and spring doesn’t seem to be dying out either. The Halal Guys have released a new collection focused on that very category with “Dad hats” and long-sleeved t-shirts aimed at Gen Z and Millennials.

Pizza Hut’s latest collaboration, while a nostalgic throwback, is also streetwear-inspired with track suits, gold chains and hats.

Summer gear has also been a trend among brands like Arby’s and Panera Bread, which both released collections with swimwear inspired by specific menu items. Panera even created a pool float.

Meanwhile, Whataburger partnered with an outdoor company in Texas for a men’s fishing collection featuring the brand’s iconic logo and colorways.

And KFC released its latest merchandise line in collaboration with Casetify that features fried chicken phone cases and accessories.

Click through the gallery to see the latest brand and fashion collaborations.

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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