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Carl’s Jr. is in the midst of a very thirsty social media campaign: The fast-food chain formerly headed up by failed Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder apparently wants Amazon to buy it. In a series of tweets, Carl’s Jr. attempts to make the case for why it should be next on Amazon’s acquisitions list, using the hashtag #AmazonBuyUs. The chain has two dozen “Big Ideas” to present, including —
Give Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos VIP parking at every Carl’s Jr location:
BIG IDEA 16/24: “CEO Parking” This deal comes w/ perks! @Amazon's CEO gets a VIP spot up front at every Carl's Jr. & @Hardees #AmazonBuyUs pic.twitter.com/maix7OeLxb
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) October 9, 2017
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s meal kits:
BIG IDEA 10/24: “Carl’s & Hardee’s At Home” Everything you need to make a $5 All Star Value Meal! @Amazon @Hardees #AmazonBuyUs pic.twitter.com/VKlMtUUnap
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) October 9, 2017
An Amazon Dash button for chicken tenders:
BIG IDEA 2/24: “Tender Button” Push a button, get a tender! Delivery time may vary. @Amazon #AmazonBuyUs pic.twitter.com/VlAHyORsqz
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) October 9, 2017
Some of the ideas are clearly a bit more thought out than others, such as this nonsensical proposal for a “cloud-based restaurant”:
BIG IDEA 6/24: “Cloud-Based Restaurant” A first in food. How’s it work? Thats where you come in @Amazon #AmazonBuyUs pic.twitter.com/Y1IkHUbaA5
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) October 9, 2017
Others, like this idea for what seems to be a fast-food themed Real World series, are downright embarrassing:
BIG IDEA 22/24: “It Just Got Meal!” What happens when 4 foods in a box stop being fake & start gettin meal! #AmazonBuyUs pic.twitter.com/2AEJGuaB3S
— Carl's Jr. (@CarlsJr) October 10, 2017
Twitter users seem to be suffering from secondhand embarrassment on behalf of the company, comparing the campaign to the movie Idiocracy and pleading with Carl’s Jr. to please cease this inanity:
This is bad
— Charlotte or whatevr (@ChartieBartie) October 10, 2017
Like why are you doing this
— Armando gomez (@A_Gomez66) October 9, 2017
this so reminds me of Idiocracy
— Stasia (@brainkegels) October 10, 2017
who's father is in charge of this campaign
— el rey (@MayonnaiseSkin) October 10, 2017
. @CarlsJr , guys...CHILL. This isn't as funny as you think. In fact, not at all.
— Ian (@captain_clutchx) October 9, 2017
What are you doing? You’re better than this.
— Mariela Rosas (@MarielaRosas16) October 10, 2017
Amazon clearly has money to spend, and its recent purchase of Whole Foods has boosted the grocery chain’s sales — but a fast-food chain wouldn’t quite fit into the company’s portfolio. What exactly the burger chain hopes to accomplish with this social media campaign isn’t quite clear (and an email to Carl’s Jr/Hardee’s PR representation was not immediately returned), but hey, at least it doesn’t involve scantily clad women dripping ketchup down their cleavage.
• @CarlsJr [Twitter]
• Carl’s Jr. Abandons Its ‘Slutburger’ Ads [E]
