Strange McDonald's "Breakfast & Bic" Ad

In the 1980s, McDonald’s ran this head-scratcher: buy a breakfast, get a free Bic razor. Breakfast and shaving don’t exactly go together, but that’s probably why people remembered it.

Why It Works

• Category crossover: Unexpected pairings grab attention.
• Morning theme: Both shaving and breakfast happen in the morning, creating a quirky logic.
• Freebie psychology: “Free” can boost perceived value and drive impulse buys.
• Top-of-funnel play: McDonald’s wasn’t selling razors, but it sold the idea of starting your day there.

Real-World Examples

• Burger King’s “Scent of Flame-Grilled” cologne got huge press just for being weird.
• IHOP’s “IHOb” burger name-change went viral and spiked sales by 30%.
• KFC’s “chicken-scented candle” got media coverage worth millions in ad value.