What was the name of McDonald’s 1980s burger campaign featuring the slogan “Where’s the beef?”
Answer
It was not a McDonald’s campaign
“Where’s the beef?” was not a McDonald’s campaign; it was a Wendy’s advertising slogan.
Wendy’s used the phrase in a 1984 television commercial starring Clara Peller, who inspected a seemingly oversized bun and complained about the small amount of beef. The line quickly became a widely repeated catchphrase.
Because McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s competed heavily in burger advertising during the 1980s, the slogan is sometimes incorrectly remembered as McDonald’s branding. It belongs specifically to Wendy’s campaign and was aimed at contrasting its hamburgers with competitors’ products.
McDonald’s had its own major 1980s campaigns and menu promotions, including advertising for the McDLT. That burger and its packaging should not be confused with Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” campaign.