5 Top North American Celebrity-Restaurant Collabs of 2020/2021

Getting us queued in long, sometimes cold lines to avoid being disappointed by the sold out sign, restaurants have been kicking influencer marketing up giant notches with celebrity-level collaborations.

We can’t wait to see the star-inspired deliciousness of 2022 but, for now, here are some of the top celebrity collabs of 2020/2021 from across North America.

McDonald’s has been no stranger to linking themselves with top musical talent but this particular partnership went off the charts (and onto eBay!).

Earlier this year, the McRestaurant worked with K-pop group BTS in the release of the BTS Meal; a regular 10-Pack McNugget Meal served in different packaging with a specialty sauce.

Many flocked for the BTS-wrapped nuggets, while others took the extra step of selling the limited edition packaging on Facebook and eBay with some listings as high as $200. There was also online marketplace demand for the special shirts given to McDonald’s staff for wear during the promo period.

It’s Toronto’s young musical son, in a bowl!

Chipotle’s Shawn Mendes Bowl was comprised of cilantro-lime cauliflower rice, black beans, chicken, roasted chili-corn salsa, romaine lettuce, and guacamole. The purpose of the creation was to promote cauliflower menu selections to the rising numbers of keto and low-carb lifestyle customers.

$1 from every bowl sale was donated to the Shawn Mendes Foundation.

Waffle fun for the whole family, everyone at your table will want something from Ricky’s.

Try their Chicken & Waffles, made with hand-battered chicken tenders, maple bacon strips and syrup!

Prefer something more traditional? Order the Waffle Big Breakfast; 3 eggs, 3 strips of maple bacon, 3 sausage links, half a waffle and their famous Stuffed Hashbrowns.

Address: For a Ricky’s nearest you, click here. @rickysfamilyrestaurants

@rickysfamilyrestaurants

Dunkin’ Donuts knew where to swipe for their biggest ’21 partnership.

Bringing TikTok into the fast food meal mainstream, the coffee giant collaborated with top app star Charli D’Amelio to create The Charli, a caramel swirl beverage. Promoted in-restaurant, and by Charli herself with custom TikTok dance videos, Dunkin’ reported hundreds of thousands of the Charli sold in the first five days plus an overall 20% cold brew sales increase and 57% ordering app download increase on the launch day alone.

Now that’s something to happy dance about.

Hot Girl Summer, meet Hottie Sauce Fall.

Unleashed with co-branded merch, Popeye’s served up a sauce created in partnership wit Megan Thee Stallion for consumption with their famous chicken sandwiches and nuggets. Hottie Sauce was comprised of honey, cider vinegar, and Aleppo pepper while being described as “sweet, yet bold flavor with a hint of spice.”

It’s like an advent calendar with burgs and nuggets.

Teaming up with the reigning song queen of Christmas, McDonald’s chose to celebrate with 12 days of Mariah Carey’s favourite McItems, offering FREE daily deals in-app with a $1 purchase minimum.

Sadly, Canada apparently made Mariah’s naughty list as the promo wasn’t flown across the border in her glittery sleigh.