April Fools’ Day is this Saturday, but many brands are already in the pranking spirit—rolling out some fun fake news to give fans something to smile about. Below, check out some of the early April Fools’ entries. And watch this space, as we’ll update it through the weekend.

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese wants to help soon-to-be-wed customers tie the knot. The entertainment center said it will soon expand its party offerings to include wedding packages for adults who are still young at heart. Couples can say their vows as Chuck E. himself officiates the ceremony, then cut the pizza cake together, toss a cotton candy bouquet, party with professional in-house DJ Munch, and kick off the reception in the game room.

Tropicana

Orange juice fans have always been divided between “no pulp,” “some pulp” and “lots of pulp” So, what would happen if they add a fourth option? Introducing “All Pulp,” Tropicana’s pulpiest juice yet.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tropicana (@tropicana_juices)

Hendrick’s

Hendrick’s Cucumber Milk, inspired by the key ingredient in the brand’s most unusual gin, the cucumber, is the latest alternative milk innovation to hit the market from the Scottish based distiller. More odd than oat, more unusual than almond, Hendrick’s Cucumber Milk is gin free, dairy free and fruit-based, making it a refreshing additive to a variety of beverages and foods.

Candy Crush Saga

Candy Crush Saga, the most downloaded casual match game of all time, is announcing one of the biggest changes to its game ever. On April 1, Candy Crush Saga is zapping color from the iconic mobile game, embracing “goth core” with a black and white gameplay overhaul.

introducing: Candy Crush Saga - #gothcore edition. keep your eyes peeled for our new black & white gamemode for the sourest match three experience of your life pic.twitter.com/r9rlvdZ2na

— Candy Crush Saga (@CandyCrushSaga) April 1, 2023

White Castle

White Castle, the first fast-food hamburger chain in the U.S., will be releasing a brand-new menu item on April 1. Called Slider Lites, the new 100% all-beef burger is the same size and square shape as White Castle’s popular Original Slider. Instead of having five small holes in the patty, however, the Slider Lites come with just one large hole, which means they have a fraction of the calories of the Original Slider.

Havertys

Furniture maker Havertys, with help from agency EP+Co, is introducing “FUNiture,” a line of whimsical furniture pieces including a ball pit ottoman, bouncy sofa and slide sectional.

Peanut

Online motherhood community Peanut and baby and parenting expert Tommee Tippee authored “The Motherhood Manual,” which went viral after it was blasted by mothers online, who thought it was unethical. The fake book claimed it was a one-stop guide to motherhood, that it could make breastfeeding come “naturally and easy,” and that it was simple for women to juggle motherhood with full-time careers. A synopsis of the book said there was a “tried and tested formula” every pregnant woman or mother could follow to “keep mistakes to a minimum.” Now, Peanut and Tommee Tippee have replaced the site with a notice stating there is “no manual for motherhood” and that every motherhood journey is different along with a link to a new support group for mothers on the app, Just Winging It.

Dr. Squatch

Personal care company Dr. Squatch “released” a new bar soap for men, Rizz Rinse, on its website. The catch comes when customers click “Add to Cart." They’ll be met with an April Fools pop-up, along with an option to sign up for Dr. Squatch’s SMS program to get notified about real product launches. The prank will also reach consumers via Dr. Squatch’s Instagram and email promo.

Smithfield

Bacon lovers may be enticed by Smithfield’s April Fools’ joke this year—bacon-scented dryer sheets. Smithfield will post the product launch via the brand’s social channels with believable copy that drives shoppers to a link to purchase the sheets. This link, however, will lead to a website that explains the April Fools’ joke and shoppers will be given a chance to win bacon-themed swag and coupons.

Big Blanket Co.

Big Blanket Co. has envisioned the World's Biggest Big Blanket, measuring a whopping 400 square feet. The exclusive new product comes with funny disclaimers. According to the company: It will break your washing machine. FedEx will not deliver it. It is presumed illegal in Canada and Rhode Island. California will tax it as a bedroom. It requires two people to lift.

Partake Foods

Over the past three years, Partake Foods, the gluten-free, vegan and allergy-friendly company, has opted out of branded April Fools’ jokes, instead offering their fans kindness. Partake’s “No Kidding, Just Kindness” campaign spotlights acts of kindness instead of practical jokes, which began as a campaign to uplift and treat their customers at the start of the pandemic. Throughout the day on April 1, Partake will surprise followers on Instagram and Facebook with discount codes, e-gift cards and coupons. Followers are asked to leave a social comment nominating themselves or a loved one committed to doing kind deeds in their community and one will be randomly chosen to win the grand prize—a year’s supply of Partake cookies.

Jerry

Jerry, an app that helps car owners shop for better insurance rates, refinance auto loans and more, is introducing a new AI-powered feature. This first-of-its-kind offering lets just say eliminates the need for those flimsy, rearview mirror car fresheners forever. A video show how CarSmell™ works, just in time for April Fools’ Day. The campaign will run across all of Jerry's social channels on Saturday.

Magic Spoon

In 2022, Magic Spoon celebrated April Fools’ Day with the launch of its “stroon,” a spoon with a straw for a handle—developed mostly for laughs, but which quickly became a highly sought-after tool for superior cereal eating by consumers. Now, the brand has brought back the stroon, exclusively promoting the fan favorite for its TikTok followers. “Launching” on April 1, Magic Spoon will share a fake dating app with its social followers called "Spoon: A Dating App for Breakfast Lovers." Branded as an inclusive app for big spoons, little spoons and everyone else. 

@magicspooncereal Brandon shows the ins and outs of #strooning you’re so welcome #magicstroon #howto #howtotiktok #helpfultips #stroon ♬ original sound - Magic Spoon

Lee Kum Kee

With products like oat milk, pistachio milk and almond milk growing in popularity, sauce brand Lee Kum Kee is tapping rising interest in the milk category. The 135-year-old brand, known for pioneering Asian sauces, including its fan-favorite Sriracha Chili Sauce, announced a first-of-its-kind Sriracha Milk. The $4.39 Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Milk claims to be made with a proprietary blend of chili pepper paste, vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt and 1% low fat milk. The fake beverage can be enjoyed on its own, or can be used to add spicy flavor when mixed into a pasta sauce or even a milkshake, according to the brand.

Sour Punch

Unlike many other branded efforts, Sour Punch’s new pickle roulette pack isn’t a joke. The limited-time pack includes flavors such as green apple, lemon lime and watermelon—and a special flavor, pickle, all colored the same shade of green, making it hard to know which is the pickle. The pack, available exclusively at Shop.AmericanLicorice.com, is reminiscent of Jelly Belly’s Bean Boozled jelly bean game, with a similar candy roulette concept.

Traeger and WhistlePig

Traeger Grills, maker of wood pellet grills, and WhistlePig Whiskey, an indie whiskey brand, have teamed up for a backyard entertainment spoof, Still in a Grill. The brands claim that they have invented a new grill that allows for whiskey and wood-fired dinners to be created side by side.

Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners

The California agency introduces its new AI creative director, C.R.A.I.G.—aka, Creative Relational Advertising Idea Generator. C.R.A.I.G. has been trained on thousands of hours of CD behavior, and we soon see the telltale signs—responding with vague and obscure feedback (usually at 5 p.m. on Friday), being too busy and important for trivial tasks like timesheets, heading off to Cannes for a boondoggle, and constantly asking about TikTok. The short film was created by Cleaver Content, the agency’s in-house studio, and ideated by founding partner/co-chairman John Butler and Cleaver head Jason Apple.

Tinder

Dating app Tinder says it will remove all fish pictures from member profiles on Saturday, after 92% of singles reported “getting the ick” after coming across a potential match’s picture holding a fish they just caught. “We are always listening to our members and it's clear that the ubiquitous fish pic is something that needs to be addressed on our app,” said Sal Mon, who is supposedly head of community pictures at Tinder (but whose name alone seems fishy). “We cast a wide net out for fish pics in order to elevate our members’ experience on Tinder and remove a barrier for them to meet their match.”

Read more about Tinder's marketing

Duolingo + Peacock

Peacock and Duolingo said they’ve teamed up to produce a new dating show based on Duolingo’s language app. The show consists of 10 singles who all speak different languages and will have to learn another language to date. They will be eliminated by the show’s host and judge, Duo the Owl, Duolingo’s brand character, if they fail to do their daily Duolingo language lessons or find a match by the end of an episode. (Of course, it’s just the trailer—there is no actual show.)

Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Inspired by its Juicefuls snacks, Welch’s Fruit Snacks introduces Ranchfuls, a new kind of saucy snack but with zesty flavor. The product labels read, “Saucy ranch snacks,” and “Buttermilk is our 1st ingredient.” The product is supposedly made with pure buttermilk as the main ingredient, real fruit and veggies, and no artificial colors or flavors.

Unusual ranch-flavored concoctions are nothing new. This March, Hidden Valley released ranch-flavored ice cream and Wingstop’s ranch bar soap hit stores on National Ranch Day.

Pizza Hut

Can you imagine Pizza Hut without ... pizza? The brand announced that starting Saturday, pizza will be pulled from its menu and replaced with melts, made for a pizza party of one for $6.99. Pizza Hut Melts launched in October and have quickly become a customer favorite, according to the brand. Melts are offered in four different recipes including Pepperoni Lover’s, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Bacon Parmesan and Meat Lover’s.

Butterfinger and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

It’s the brand collab you didn’t know you wanted—and actually, one you probably didn’t want. But here it is anyway!

It’s what (baking) dreams are made of. Actually, it’s made of @icantbelieveits & it’s a finger. This latest innovation gives you more options when it comes to Bake Better with Butterfinger recipes. It also doubles as a tasty treat! Tag someone you’d like to give the finger to. pic.twitter.com/8gocE2BSpK

— Butterfinger (@Butterfinger) March 29, 2023

Little Caesars

Crust innovations has been all the rage among pizza chains for years now. But Little Caesars has invented something truly unique, if a little tricky to actually consume—the Corncob Crust.

Introducing Corncob Crust from Little Caesars! You’re Welcome, America pic.twitter.com/H9IMni4M0m

— Little Caesars Pizza (@littlecaesars) March 21, 2023

Ad Age's latest Top 5 brand TikToks has more on the chain's crust prank and plans. 

Nutella and Tic Tac

Another wacky brand collab, this time featuring Tic Tacs shaped like tiny jars of Nutella. Must say this one is so unexpected, and adorable!

🚨 Flavor drop alert! 🚨 Tic Tac® Nutella mints are shaking up to be bestsellers! Get ready for this mouthwatering combo 🤤 @TicTacUSA pic.twitter.com/PFtIKjkJc2

— Nutella (@NutellaUSA) March 30, 2023

Vitail

Both pet and owner can participate in this pet wellness brand's April Fools' Day effort. The company, which sells calming gummies for dogs to help with stress, now claims to have released CBD gummies for dog owners (except not). Developed with veterinarians and pet nutrition experts, Vitail’s actual calming chews are formulated with amino acids and natural herbs to reduce stress and promote relaxation in dogs. Agency Coomer created the campaign.

M.i.’s Westside Comedy Theater

This comedy club in Los Angeles said it has a new signature scent: L’HUMOR. Developed by Milwaukee-based Hanson Dodge, it celebrates the theater’s 14th anniversary and reminds people that “something smells funny in here.”