The Rise of Fast Food Menu Hacks in Canada

Fast food has always been about convenience, but in recent years, menu hacks have taken the industry by storm.

What Is a Menu Hack?

A menu hack is a creative way to modify or combine existing fast-food menu items to create something new. These hacks often involve customizing ingredients, stacking multiple items together, or finding loopholes in pricing to get more for less. While some menu hacks have been around for years, social media has made them more popular than ever.

The Origins of Menu Hacks

While secret menu items have existed for decades, the widespread sharing of fast-food hacks really took off around 2019, fueled by Instagram and TikTok. Social media users began posting clever ways to customize meals, leading to viral trends that influenced customer orders worldwide. Some menu hacks became so popular that restaurants had to acknowledge—and sometimes even adapt to—them.

Canadian Influencers Leading the Trend

Several Canadian food influencers have played a major role in spreading menu hacks and creative food ideas. Some of the most popular include:

• Micheatsmuch (@micheatsmuch): Shares unique fast-food combinations.
• Toronto Food (@torontofood): Highlights creative food trends in Toronto.
• Tofoodies (@tofoodies): Features local food hacks and secret menu finds.

These influencers help drive engagement by testing new food hacks and encouraging their followers to try them.

Must-Try Canadian Fast Food Hacks

Here are three fun menu hacks from popular Canadian chains:

1. Tim Hortons – “The Gretzky”

A nod to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, this super-sweet coffee consists of nine creams and nine sugars in a single cup. While it’s an acquired taste, it’s a fun way to pay homage to a Canadian icon.

2. Mary Brown’s – Big Mary Monday Hack

On Mondays, Mary Brown’s offers their Big Mary chicken sandwich at a discount. To level it up, customers add extra spicy mayo and pickles, making it even more flavorful without breaking the bank.

3. Wendy’s – T-Rex Burger

Originally from a Wendy’s in Brandon, Manitoba, this massive burger features nine beef patties and nine slices of cheese. While it was officially discontinued, fans still recreate it by ordering a Dave’s Triple with six extra patties.

How Fast Food Chains Are Responding

Fast-food brands have had mixed reactions to menu hacks:

• Encouraging Customization: Some brands, like Harvey’s Canada, embrace menu hacks. Their marketing director even keeps a list of the best customer-created combinations.
• Facing Operational Challenges: Some menu hacks can create staffing or pricing issues. For example, Chipotle had to deal with a viral hack that allowed customers to build a burrito for under $2.
• Incorporating Hacks into Official Menus: Seeing an opportunity, McDonald’s Canada launched a remix menu featuring customer-inspired creations like the Sweet Chili Junior Chicken and the Surf ‘N Turf Burger.

Menu hacks have transformed fast food culture, turning everyday orders into creative and shareable experiences. Whether brands embrace or resist them, these viral trends aren’t going anywhere. Next time you hit a drive-thru, consider testing out a menu hack—you just might discover your new favorite order!