Ranking celebrity meal deals of 2021

The combination of fast food and celebrity influencers proved an irresistible recipe for the restaurant industry in 2021, as chains plugged into star power to move burgers, fries and chicken. The following is a list of stars and their associated meal deals, ranked by Ad Age’s proprietary, if unscientific, "Tweezer Score," or a combination of followers on Twitter and on the music streaming site Deezer. Behold the top scorers: 1. Justin Bieber/Tim Hortons Twitter: 114.2 million Deezer: 9.5 million Tweezer: 124.7 million The Canadian pop star loaned his name—and according to a Gut-agency led ad, his creative mind—to a line of flavorful donut-hole snacks called Timbiebs for the Canadian coffee chain. 2. BTS/McDonald’s Twitter: 42.2 million Deezer: 2.69 million Tweezer: 45 million The Korean boy-band teamed with McDonald’s on its Wieden + Kennedy-New York-led “Famous Orders” platform. The meal deal, said to be inspired by Korean flavors, included 10- or 9-piece Chicken McNuggets with Sweet Chili and Cajun dipping sauces, medium French fries, and a medium Coke. 3. Mariah Carey/McDonald’s Twitter: 21.6 million Deezer: 2.6 million Tweezer: 24.2 million All I want for Christmas is the five-octave diva’s “Mariah Menu” offering diners one free item for 12 December days. 4. Anitta/Burger King Twitter 15.2 million Deezer: 6.1 million Tweezer: 21.3 million Larissa Machado, aka Anitta, served up a meatless Impossible Whopper with lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mustard, small fries and a small Sprite. 5. Megan Thee Stallion/Popeye’s Twitter: 7.2 million Deezer: 503,000 Tweezer: 7.7 million The singer of “Don’t Stop” got a hot sauce accompanying the chain’s chicken nuggets. An associated business deal calls for her to become the franchisor of five Popetes restaurants. 6. Nelly/Burger King Twitter 3.7 million Deezer: 1.2 million Tweezer: 4.9 million Burger King’s “Keep It Real Meals,” from the agency David Madrid and Miami, delivered a message of authenticity by marketing celebrity endorsers with packaging using their actual names. Rapper Nelly’s authentic combination (Whopper, small sprite and a small fries) went by the name Cornell Haynes Jr. 7. ‘Lil Huddy/Burger King Twitter: 2.9 million Deezer: 13,700 Tweezer: 3 million Chase Hudson, the social media host known best as ‘Lil Huddy, pitched a hand-breaded spicy chicken sandwich with cheese, 4-piece mozzarella sticks, and a 16-ounce chocolate shake. 8. Saweetie/McDonald’s Twitter: 1.9 million Deezer: 256,000 Tweezer: 2.1 million The “Icy Girl” singer teamed with McDonald’s on a combination of a Big Mac, a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets with BBQ or sweet-and-sour sauce, medium fries, and medium Sprite.

Ranking celebrity meal deals of 2021

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