Top 10 Fast Food Conspiracy Theories
#10: KFC Uses Mutant Chicken
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It’s no surprise that the signature dish at Kentucky Fried Chicken is, well, their chicken. But, even though it’s literally in their name, some have theorized that they don’t use poultry at all. At least, not the normal kind. Instead, a viral rumor claimed they used genetically engineered hens. AKA, mutant meat. The company’s rebranding to KFC only fueled the fire, with some believing they changed because they didn’t legally serve chicken anymore. For their part, KFC has publicly denied the rumor at every turn and even took its originators to court. Based on the hefty fine the theorists got, odds are they won’t be clucking conspiracies again any time soon.
#9: Impossible Whoppers Do the Impossible
In 2019, “Burger King” launched a vegetarian alternative to their classic burger. But, some very vocal critics attested that the so-called Impossible Whopper did more than just taste good. It also gave men breasts. Allegedly, the plant-based patty was chalked full of so much estrogen that it could alter a person’s anatomy. Almost immediately, “Burger King” labeled it a complete hoax. Other online sources came to their defense, pointing out that there’s little scientific evidence linking estrogen consumption with adverse side effects. Especially something as severe as growing breasts. Since “Burger King” has since expanded their Impossible menu, it looks like they’ve left this theory behind them.
#8: The Starbucks Logo Is Hiding Something Sinister
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The devil is in the details. Or, in this case, the logo. See, “Starbucks’” original mascot was a scantily-clad siren with two mermaid tails. One that, when flipped upside down, apparently looked a bit like the devil. Far-fetched or not, the “Starbucks” logo has since been updated several times, each with significantly less fuss about its supposed religious messaging. Ironically, they wouldn’t be the last joint in town accused of devil worship. One Twitter user found that several “Outback Steakhouse” locations are positioned in the vague shape of a pentagram. Although, if you ask the company’s official Twitter, they think it looks like their signature Bloomin’ Onion dish.
#7: The Real Reason Mcdonald’s Coke Tastes So Good
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The most-lauded item on McDonald’s menu isn’t the Big Mac, the McNuggets, or even the french fries. No, it’s their Coca-Cola. The soft drink is served at plenty of other fast-food locations, but for some reason, the prevailing opinion is that Mcdonald’s just tastes better. It’s no placebo, though. There’s actual science behind it. While Mcdonald's gets the same Coke syrup as their competitors, they follow particularly strict guidelines to ensure the beverage stays carbonated. Factors like their water filtration, their storage containers, and even the size of their straws all help give their Coke a leg up. It sounds like a lot of work, but clearly, it’s paid off.
#6: The Domino’s Pizza Tracker Is a Sham
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Nothing beats ordering a pizza straight to your doorstep, and Domino’s made it easier than ever with Dom. The live-service tracker showed customers exactly where their order was in the delivery process. The only issue is that some people didn’t buy it. A large theory spread that the so-called tracker was just a timer meant to dissuade customers from calling the restaurant. A former employee even confirmed as much. But, Domino’s themselves quickly stepped in and set the record straight. They verified that Dom is, in fact, a live process manually updated at every step. Either way, pizza’s still pizza, no matter when it gets to your door.
#5: Chipotle Was Sabotaged
Apparently, all’s fair in love, war, and fast food. At least, if this theory is to be believed. In 2015, Chipotle’s stock was hit hard by a sudden E. coli outbreak. But, as the company’s worth sank, a few choice shares skyrocketed. That, when paired with the virus’ odd proclivity for Chipotle products, led a few to suspect this was no mere accident. But, rather, an act of corporate sabotage. After all, there are some who financially benefited from the scandal. However, in the many years since, there’s been absolutely zero evidence to back up the claim. Instead, all signs point to this being a tragic accident, and nothing more.
#4: The Secret Ingredient of a McNugget
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Mcdonald's came under serious McFire when a rumor alleged that their classic chicken nuggets were made from a goopy pink slime. The claim had photo evidence, and it wasn’t exactly what you’d call “appetizing.” As you can imagine, the masses were equally outraged and disgusted. In fact, Mcdonald's got so much flack, they had to make a response video showcasing how a McNugget is actually made. And, spoiler alert, there’s no pink slime involved. The rumors haven’t entirely been laid to rest, and there’s still an official page on the McDonald’s website refuting the claim. But, the McNugget looks a lot tastier today than it did in 2014, that’s for sure.
#3: Church's Fried Chicken Is Anything But Heavenly
As far back as the 1980s, “Church’s” and their iconic chicken have been the focus of some wild urban legends. The craziest one? That they’re actually owned and operated by the KKK, who use it to pursue their own supremacist agenda. Supposedly, they lace the chicken with an ingredient that makes men sterile. Since “Church’s” has a reputation for appealing to African-Americans, it would take them off the board in a delicious, non-violent way. And yet, over the years, not a single person has ever claimed that “Church’s” caused their infertility. Given that there’s no data to back it up, you can probably toss this one in the “proven false” bin.
#2: Why the McDonald’s Ice Cream Machine Is Always Broken
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You may want to plan to get your sugar fix elsewhere. Despite the delectable McFlurrys on their dessert menu, the Mcdonald's ice cream machine is chronically down for repair. Orders are turned away so frequently, it’s become a full-blown viral meme. For years, many have theorized that the machines aren’t actually to blame, but they’re only half-right. The real issue is that the ice cream maker takes up to four hours to clean. And that’s if there’s someone tending to it, which isn’t always the case or even possible in a busy work environment. Rather than explaining all that, most employees just blame it on a malfunction and move on. It means no ice cream, either way.
#1: Starbucks Misspells Your Name… On Purpose
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No matter if you’re a Joe or a Tom, “Starbucks” baristas will somehow find a way to spell your name wrong. Sometimes, hilariously so. At this point, most coffee-goers have just accepted it. But, a few others have suggested it’s an intentional marketing ploy. The more egregious they spell your name, the more likely you are to send it to friends or post it online. There’s no such thing as bad press, right? Whether it’s mandated, an honest mistake, or just the baristas having some fun, we’ll never know for sure. But, until we do, “Starbucks” will keep raking in the free publicity.
