Fast food jingles are more than just catchy tunes; they are a critical part of a brand’s identity. These short, memorable melodies help companies build brand recognition, often getting stuck in our heads for years, if not decades.
We broke down the top 10 most memorable, and hum-worthy fast food jingles of all time.
1. McDonald’s: “I’m Lovin’ It”:
Released in 2003 and performed by Justin Timberlake, the “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is arguably the most recognized fast food jingle globally. The five-note jingle’s simplicity makes it easy to remember, and it has been adapted into many languages to appeal to McDonald’s vast international market.
2. Burger King’s: “Have it Your Way
In the 1970s, Burger King sought to differentiate itself from its main competitor, McDonald’s, by emphasizing customer choice. Their jingle, “Have it Your Way,” was created to reinforce this point, and it quickly became synonymous with the brand.
Though there have been countless versions of the jingle through the years, the core melody and lyrics have both stayed surprisingly close to the original tune.
While BK did a recent reboot of their brand that carried over into their theme song, focusing on the tag-line “You Rule”, it still incorporates the original melody.
3. KFC’s “Finger-Lickin’ Good”:
This jingle is a quintessential part of KFC’s brand identity, serving as a testament to the irresistible taste of their fried chicken. Although KFC has experimented with various marketing campaigns, “Finger-Lickin’ Good” remains an iconic slogan and melody in the fast food industry.
4. Subway’s “Five Dollar Footlong”:
Launched in 2008, Subway’s “Five Dollar Footlong” jingle helped propel the chain’s sales during the economic recession. The catchy tune promoted the value of Subway’s offer and left an indelible impression in the minds of fast food lovers.
5. Oscar Mayer’s “My Bologna Has a First Name”:
While not strictly a fast food chain, Oscar Mayer’s jingle for their bologna product deserves a mention. First aired in the 1970s, the jingle was sung by a child and became instantly memorable for its catchy and humorous lyrics.
6. Arby’s “We Have The Meats”:
Arby’s utilized the deep, distinctive voice of actor Ving Rhames for this catchy albeit slightly disturbing jingle that debuted in 2014. The simple, repeated phrase emphasized Arby’s focus on providing a variety of meat-based sandwiches, helping it stand out among competitors.
7. Dunkin’ Donuts’ “America Runs on Dunkin'”:
Introduced in 2006, “America Runs On Dunkin'” has been a significant part of Dunkin’s branding. Though not a song nor jingle per se, the slogan reinforces the idea that Dunkin’ Donuts is an essential part of many Americans’ daily routines and is ubiquitous in consumer’s association with the donuts chain.
8. Wendy’s “Where’s The Beef?”:
While it’s more of a catchphrase than a traditional jingle, this Wendy’s slogan from the 1980s became a pop culture phenomenon. The commercial featuring an elderly woman exclaiming “Where’s the Beef?” at the tiny burgers of rival fast food chains was a hit and helped boost Wendy’s sales.
9. Pizza Hut’s “Making it Great”:
Pizza Hut’s jingle from the late 1980s and early 1990s, “Making it Great,” was simple yet catchy. It succinctly encapsulated the brand’s dedication to making great-tasting pizzas.
10. Taco Bell’s “Think Outside the Bun”:
Introduced in the early 2000s, this jingle was very short as it mostly consisted of the sound of a bell. The slogan was a clever way of suggesting that fast food could be more than just burgers and fries. The short, snappy slogan punctuated by the bell sound became a favorite and is still associated with Taco Bell today.
Jingle All The Way
Whether these jingles are promoting a new menu item, or representing a brand with their recognizable melodies – most of these tunes have been employed by fast food chains for years. They’ve proved their worth as hum-worthy marketing hits that have some of us rolling through the drive-thru hitting those notes.
