App deal pays homage to iconic TV ad that debuted at the 1984 Super Bowl
The Wendy’s Co. is paying homage to its seminal “Where’s the Beef” television advertising, which debuted 40 years ago with a 1984 Super Bowl commercial, by offering a free single burger on its smartphone app.
The Dublin, Ohio-based burger brand would have broken the Internet — if it had existed — with the ad, which featured actress Clara Peller asking a someone somewhere at the “Home of the Big Bun”: “Where’s the beef?”
To observe the anniversary through Feb. 12 (the Super Bowl is in Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 11), Wendy’s customer can get a free Dave’s single-patty sandwich with purchase on the brand’s smartphone app. The app is also offering no delivery fee on Sunday.
“Where’s the beef?” became a catchphrase, weaving its way into presidential politics in the 1984 Democratic primary with Sen. Gary Hart and Vice President Walter Mondale and into popular culture as term for something lacking substance.
To extend the promotion later in 1984, Wendy’s had songwriter Coyote McCloud write and perform with Peller a song entitled "Where's the Beef?" It was released in limited quantity on vinyl.
This year, Wendy’s is teaming with the Columbus, Ohio-based Homage apparel company to provide vintage t-shirts with Wendy’s imagery, including the “Where’s the beef?” slogan.
Wendy’s board on Jan. 18 named Kirk Tanner, a former PepsiCo Inc. division CEO, as president and CEO to succeed Todd Penegor in that role. That transition was effective Feb. 5.
Wendy’s is scheduled to report its fourth quarter and full-year 2023 earnings before the market opens Feb. 15.
Wendy's, founded in 1969, has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.
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