More Marketing For Dummies

While ordering lunch at Burger King today, I noticed two things. First, the large banner of a Whopper-fries-and-Coke behind the cashier, which had been (presumably) enlarged to show texture. What it showed me is how the all-too-uniform grill-striping on the beef patty extends all the way over and around the edge of said patty — something I'm pretty sure I have never seen accomplished at home. Second, the new signage over the fry-scooping bin, which has over-enlarged french fries as its background. The sign is pre-printed with the words "The Fries are" above a space for an LED readout. The LED readout said "FRESH!" and this made me wonder if it ever says anything else — say, "cooking?" "Just Okay?" Turns out, while I was waiting for my food, the LEDs went from steady-lit to flashing, and one could see: the only thing it can ever say is "FRESH!" That stale box of fries you just got? They can't be stale, they're FRESH!

I swear that when I wrote this, I hadn't read Tim's most most recent entry, also discussing a Burger King topic. And I had considered trying to weave in the three different Corporate Slogans I saw posted on various in-store signage: the burned-in-our-brains "Have It Your Way," the more recent and look-we're-hip-to-technology "@ BK You Got It," and the one Tim noted, "The Fire's Ready." This is what happens when you dine alone.