10 Iconic Fast Food Collaborations

10 Iconic Fast Food Collaborations

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be highlighting some of the most recognizable mash-ups between fast food companies, celebrities, and franchises.

Wendy’s & SpongeBob SquarePants

For the 25th anniversary of “SpongeBob SquarePants”, Wendy’s debuted their version of the fictional Krabby Patty in October, 2024. It came amid some criticism from fans, as SpongeBob’s creator, the late Stephen Hillenburg, had opposed the idea of using SpongeBob characters to sell fast food to kids. Additionally, the canon Krabby Patties are actually vegan, whereas Wendy’s are beef. The response was swift, with many online food reviewers taking to sites like YouTube to give their opinions. Wendy’s doesn’t seem to be stopping at the Krabby Patty, however, as the chain is also offering a Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty as part of this promotion.

Shaquille O’Neal & Papa John’s

The odds are probably pretty good that the Papa John's pizza franchise needed Shaquille O’Neal in 2020 more than the other way around. This is due primarily to the bad press this chain endured under the public leadership of its founder, John Schnatter. That said, the advertising behind the Shaq campaign was both pleasant and funny, while the Shaq-a-Roni pizza that was crafted for the collab was humongous! Meanwhile, a portion of sales from this super-sized pie went towards both local and international youth foundations, which is definitely a good thing, if you ask us.

Popeye’s & Megan Thee Stallion

The Popeye’s fried chicken chain was already enjoying massive success with its line of fan-favorite sandwiches. This made their 2021 collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion feel like icing on their proverbial fast-food cake. Sure, there wasn’t exactly a meal or combo associated with Megan Thee Stallion, but the launching of her signature “Hottie Sauce” served as a welcome addition to the restaurant chain’s line of condiments. The results proved popular, further underlining Popeye’s cornered market share of the fried chicken universe - a share they don’t seem to be parting with any time soon.

Ben & Jerry’s & Nike

Nike is no stranger to food-related collaborations, including its 2016 Krispy Kreme-derived model. Thus, the idea of a Ben & Jerry’s inspired Nike doesn’t seem too out of the ordinary. This is despite the rather strange result of what was eventually called the “Chunky Dunky,” released in 2020. If you ever wanted a pair of basketball shoes with black-and-white cow spots, then these will definitely be your jam. That said, be prepared to fork up some serious cash to get your fix: these shoes can run you close to a thousand dollars on the secondary market.

Pringles & The Caviar Co.

There are just some foods out there that retain the status of “universal solvent” when it comes to wacky flavors. Oreo Cookies have made a career out of expanding their flavor profiles, and this also goes for the Pringles brand of potato crisps. Cheese, sour cream, and barbeque may be the most common flavor trips, but we’re betting that caviar wasn’t on your bingo card, right? This 2023 collab plays it safe by not actually dusting the Pringles with caviar dust, but instead creating a chic-looking set that pairs traditional Pringles with caviar counterparts. It’s a cool and kitschy way to eat high and low brow foods simultaneously.

Arby’s & Old Spice

This next collab is admittedly quite strange, but we probably wouldn’t expect anything less from these two companies that are both known for their quirky humor. There isn’t a deodorant that smells like deli meat to be found here, nor is there a sandwich on the Arby’s menu that’s perfumed. Instead, this 2022 collab here basically concerns itself with sweating, the “meat sweats,” to be exact. The resulting Old Spice clothing line arrived armed with“stronger swagger,” presumably to prevent those foul smelling odors from escaping your pores after indulging in a hefty Arby’s sandwich or combo meal.

Snoop Dogg & Jack in the Box

It seems as if everything Snoop Dogg touches turns to gold these days, so we probably shouldn’t be surprised that this 2023 collab with Jack in the Box turned out awesome. The chain’s Inglewood location went full gangsta during Snoop’s culinary takeover, renaming a number of their menu items in his honor. Jack in the Box also worked together with Snoop to curate a tasty box of gastronomic goodness, from a saucy chicken sandwich to sweet brownie and a side of Sprite. It’s the sort of combo that one requires after indulging in Snoop’s favorite herbaceous pastime.

Ben Affleck, Ice Spice & Martha Stewart for Dunkin’ Donuts

There have been a number of celebrities that have jumped on the Dunkin’ Donuts endorsement train, including Martha Stewart and her dunkintini campaign. However, the other 2023 campaign featuring rapper Ice Spice and Ben Affleck proved to be particularly popular. This was thanks, in part, to Affleck’s Bostonian roots, which allowed him to lean heavily upon that classic accent during commercials. Additionally, the introduction of a drink collaboration with Ice Spice resulted in a sugar bomb of epic proportions. Pumpkin munchkin flavoring was mixed with the chain’s already sweet pumpkin spice coffee to create an indulgent treat that’s perfect for fall.

McDonald’s & BTS

Never underestimate the loyalty of K-Pop fans. The mere mention of a BTS collab with just about anybody would be enough to the group’s rabid following to get hyped. So, it sort of goes without saying that this 2021 mash-up between the mega fast food titans McDonald’s and BTS went over amazingly well. Sure, the resulting “BTS Meal” turned out to be little more than a Chicken McNugget Happy Meal with South Korean-inspired sauces. But it was enough to get fans showing up to their local McDonald’s in droves to try every one of these new sauces for themselves.

Doritos & Taco Bell

The hypebeast nature behind many of these collabs essentially makes them a case of instant satisfaction. They show up, people buy them, and then they’re gone. That said, it speaks volumes that this 2012 collaboration between Taco Bell and Doritos was so successful that it’s become a permanent menu fixture. The Doritos Locos Tacos were made available in both traditional Nacho Cheese as well as fan-favorite Cool Ranch, and diners liked what they were eating…in a BIG way. Heck, even homemade Mexican staples like Old El Paso saw fit to rip off the idea for their own line of nacho-flavored crunchy shells.

What’s the wildest fast food collab you can imagine? Let us know in the comments!