Top 10 Food Catchphrases from Commercials

There had to be a way to make mashed and dried corn flakes appealing to children, and other than coating them in sugar, a good advertising campaign was key. So, for the product’s debut in 1951, Kellogg’s figured introducing a surprisingly agile tiger that growled out “they’re grrrrrreat” was the way to go. While Tony the Tiger has said a few other things that no one really cares about, what we DO remember are these two words, because “they bring out the tiger in you!”

For many, milk isn’t usually considered an amazing thirst quencher. So back in the ‘80s before we were graced with the “Got Milk?” campaign, milk advocates wanted us to know the beverage had benefits beyond being a vehicle for your Frosted Flakes. In fact, they wanted us to know that this liquid produced by mammals could help you grow up big and strong – and maybe even land you Jeffrey Keiser. What do you think? Does it do a body good?

When you open up a bag of potato chips, chances are you’re not just planning on eating a singular chip and then giving up on the endeavor. It’s a phenomenon Lay’s was fully aware of when they spearheaded their “Betcha Can’t Eat Just One” chip campaign in the early-1960s. By making it a challenge for consumers and recruiting celebrities in their commercials, the company didn’t only conceive of an infinitely quotable catchphrase but also allowed for the international expansion and recognition of the American brand.

If you were the type of kid who was into withholding delicious and not-so-nutritious breakfast cereals from bunny rabbits, then this campaign probably resonated with you on a personal level. Since 1959, commercial kids have constantly been reminding a desperate rabbit named Tricks that he couldn’t have human cereal. And frankly that seems pretty cruel, especially considering the lengths he goes to get some. But hey – the concept sure sold those boxes, so it seems it wasn’t such a silly slogan after all.

Dijon mustard may not necessarily be one of the first things that pops into your mind when you’re thinking about the finer things in life. It’s probably not even the tenth thing that pops into mind… but the folks behind this campaign for Grey Poupon still wanted you to feel as though you could get a taste of the good life, literally, through a condiment. In fact, their ‘80s white wine mustard commercial caught on so well it’s since spawned multiple parodies.

If you’d grown tired of the scarcity of meat placed upon the buns of many fast food burgers back in the ‘80s, then Wendy’s wanted to let you know you weren’t alone. Their “Where’s the beef” slogan caught on quickly after it was introduced in 1984 – and not just because of the adorably brusque little old lady in the commercial. And while their commercials may have since changed, the slogan still remains one of the company’s most memorable, especially considering the catchphrase is now used in pop culture in a more general sense.

This fast food giant has come up with a number of ways to describe their famous chicken. From claiming they “do chicken right” to keeping their blend of herbs and spices a secret, KFC has managed to keep consumer interest throughout the decades. One of their most popular campaigns was just an arm’s reach away. Well, more like at their fingertips. In fact, this catchphrase that was introduced in 1956 was so finger lickin’ memorable it became the company-wide slogan for over half a century, until it was dropped in 2011.

When you’ve got greedy family members, eating a meal in your house can be a battle for survival. At least, that’s what we’re assuming was the message behind Eggo’s super-successful ad campaign which featured a clever slogan that incorporated the company’s name. Since the campaign’s introduction in 1972, the brand has pretty much become synonymous with all breakfast waffles, generic or otherwise, thanks in large part to the witty catchphrase, which the brand can thank Kellogg’s for, as it was after the company bought Eggo that “L’eggo My Eggo” came to be.

If you’re not tracking the hours of your day until your next beer, you might be doing something wrong. When they originally came up with this slogan in the ‘70s, Miller Beer recognized that most hard-working folks looked forward to clocking out and unwinding, and to them, that meant it was time for a cold brew. It was just the appropriate backdrop for this catchphrase which centered on the company’s beer – so appropriate, in fact, the slogan’s been brought out of retirement several times. And thus, a legend was born.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!”

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!

- “Snap into a Slim Jim”

Slim Jim

- “Once You Pop, You Can't Stop”

Pringles

- “A Cookie is Just a Cookie”

Fig Newtons

- “He Likes It! Hey Mikey!”

Life

This tiny chocolate’s candy shell became an interesting selling point for Mars, Incorporated. So, when they were introducing their new Peanut M&Ms in 1954, they needed a new tagline to go along with them. The manufacturer conceived of a mouth-centric slogan that helped illustrate two things: you could palm these candies without making a mess and they only melted like a dream once they hit your tongue. The tagline became wildly successful and continues to be associated with M&Ms today. Plus, the idea of a portable yet equally delicious chocolate treat is always a good way to go for a slogan.

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best food commercial catchphrase? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.