1851

Going viral. It is the dream scenario and goal for every franchise brand marketer and social media manager; to create a moment so powerful it captures the internet&rsquo;s collective attention and turns millions of rapid users into a veritable army of brand advocates.

While there is no surefire answer as to what makes branded content go viral, by looking at some past examples of viral campaigns, marketers can hopefully piece together the key elements of a successful online push.

Wendy&rsquo;s Twitter Sass

Sometimes the best way to go viral is not with a single campaign or idea, but by giving your brand a recognizable and bold voice. The marketers behind Wendy&rsquo;s Twitter account have figured out the perfect voice for the burger brand, creating an online persona so unique, consumers cannot help but <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/03/wendys-released-a-surprisingly-solid-rap-mixtape-and-ravaged-mcdonalds?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-create-a-viral-moment-lessons-learned-from-viral-campaigns-2706504" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">share the brand&rsquo;s terrible rap lyrics</a> and public shots at fans of their competition:

Checkers &amp; Rally&rsquo;s reminds the Competition Who&rsquo;s Boss

Another bold entry from the burger world, Checkers &amp; Rally&rsquo;s has long been proud of its legacy menu offerings. So when the competition tried to roll up on its turf, the brand wasted no time in <a href="http://www.tbo.com/news/business/retail/Would-you-like-fries-with-that-Checkers-Rally-s-ribs-Taco-Bell_165073476?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-create-a-viral-moment-lessons-learned-from-viral-campaigns-2706504" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reminding the world that not everyone can make a French fry</a> or grill up the perfect hot dog. The result was a playful, and viral, notice that Checkers &amp; Rally&rsquo;s will never back down from a challenge:

KFC Fires up its Fans

KFC is no stranger to the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/details/2704996/Franchises-that-Are-Upping-Their-Marketing-Game-with-Swag" target="_blank">fun and wacky side of viral marketing</a>, but sometimes all it takes is some brilliant and simple design to make branded internet waves. That is what the fried chicken brand achieved with a <a href="https://www.dpreview.com/news/3570669105/viral-kfc-ad-campaign-turns-fried-chicken-into-flames-with-photoshop?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-create-a-viral-moment-lessons-learned-from-viral-campaigns-2706504" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recent viral KFC Hong Kong ad campaign promoting Hot &amp; Spicy chicken</a> by photoshopping in delicious poultry for literal fire and smoke.

While these are just three examples of brands finding viral marketing success, the takeaways are clear. Brands need to find authenticity, a strong voice and take artistic risks if they hope to find themselves on the internet&rsquo;s proverbial front pages. But a word of warning: for every Wendy&rsquo;s Twitter success story, there is an <a href="https://www.wired.com/2017/04/pepsi-ad-internet-response/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-create-a-viral-moment-lessons-learned-from-viral-campaigns-2706504" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">equally devastating Kendall Jenner moment just waiting to happen</a>.

How to Create a Viral Moment: Lessons Learned from Viral campaigns 

1851 Franchise

1851 looks back at some of the franchising industry’s recent viral moments

how-to-create-a-viral-moment-lessons-learned-from-viral-campaigns

Shuckin' Shack

Shuckin’ Shack’s 4th Annual Fresh & Raw Tour Raises Over $72,000 for Blood Cancer United

shuckin-shack-fresh-raw-tour-raises-300k-blood-cancer

Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom Atmosphere: How Design and Local Vibe Drive $3.8M AUV - 1851 Franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Growth: How Art-Driven Design and Local Atmosphere Help Drive $3.8M AUV in Top Locations

mellow-mushroom-atmosphere-top-quartile-auv

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Biscuit Belly Franchise - End of Year Wrap-Up - 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Biscuit Belly Finishes 2025 Strong and Looks Ahead to a 20-Unit Footprint in 2026

biscuit-belly-20-unit-growth-2026

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Wild Bill's Soda, Wild Bill's Craft Beverages

Wild Bill’s Caps a Transformational 2025 With Market Expansion, Product Innovation and Franchise Momentum

wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth

Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals - End of Year Wrap 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Express Employment Professionals Celebrates a Year of Growth, Adding 38 New Owners to Its System 

express-employment-professionals-franchise-eoy-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

McDonald’s Faces Lawsuit Alleging McRib Contains No Actual Rib Meat

mcdonalds-faces-lawsuit-alleging-mcrib-contains-no-actual-rib-meat

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

hardees-franchise-closures-arc-burger-lawsuit

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

How to Create a Viral Moment: Lessons Learned from Viral campaigns

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS