1851

A celebrity promoting a brand is nothing new. But increasingly, franchise brands, particularly those in the QSR segment, are relying on celebrity partnerships to carry national and international marketing efforts. Why are brands turning to the stars to anchor promotional campaigns? And why are celebrities so eager to team up and promote it? In a world driven by digital content and social media, celebrity-brand partnerships offer distinct benefits for both the celebrity and the brand.According to <a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/why-justin-bieber-is-juggling-donuts-with-tim-hortons/article_289d797e-7f93-11ec-a288-2f8f63ec0593.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Times</a>, celebrities are joining brands in marketing campaigns to help those brands promote menu innovation, which has become a prerequisite for survival during the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the way restaurants interact and engage with customersJustin Bieber is perhaps the most high-profile name currently partnered with a QSR franchise brand. In a partnership with Canada-based <a href="https://franchising.timhortons.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim Hortons</a>, Bieber promotes TimBiebs, a play on the brand’s popular donut holes called TimBits.&nbsp;Through its campaign with the pop heartthrob, Tim Hortons has shown audiences how it's adapting to a “new normal” through menu innovation. The partnership has apparently paid off. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-bagozzi-50427b3/?originalSubdomain=ca&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hope Bagozzi</a>, Chief Marketing Officer at Tim Hortons, said the team is “thrilled” about the response to TimBiebs and the merchandise associated with the campaign sold out.“What’s amazing about working with Justin is he has an authentic, lifelong relationship with Tims,” Bagozzi told Franchise Times. “He’s become a global star, one of the biggest names in music in the world, but he remains really proud of his Canadian roots and he feels like Tims is a taste of home. So Justin truly is a partner, he loves the brand, we’ve wanted to work together for a long time and we were both really happy to finally collaborate.”Other popular celebrities partaking in <a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_times_cover_stories/why-lil-nas-x-justin-bieber-and-tom-brady-are-pitching-fast-food/article_5e90d64a-793d-11ec-a749-bf95a9497bb4.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">marketing campaigns for national brands</a> include Saweetie for McDonald’s; Tom Brady, Steph Curry and Megan Rapinoe for Subway; Megan Thee Stallion for Popeyes; and Lil Nas X for Taco Bell, just to name a few.As brands increasingly leverage celebrities to raise their own brand awareness, the strategy seems to be working? <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-dunkin-popeyes-celebrity-partnerships-brilliant-strategy-2021-11?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Business Insider</a> reported that food brands attract younger generations who want to visit the same places where they see celebrities doing commercials.“The other important piece of these promotions is ‘culturally relevant entertainers,’ who brands can tap into to attract younger customers,” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkalinowski/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mark Kalinowski</a>, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of <a href="https://kalinowskiequityresearch.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022-2718019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kalinowski Equity Research</a>, told Business Insider.Aside from a brand gaining increased awareness among consumers, celebrities are also able to introduce themselves to those who may not have previously been fans and pull in a new base. Ultimately, the partnership between brands and celebrities may be a win-win situation in which both can attract new customers and fans.

How Franchise Brands Are Leveraging Celebrity Partnerships in 2022

1851 Franchise

Franchise brands are increasingly turning to familiar faces to carry major marketing efforts.

how-franchise-brands-are-leveraging-celebrity-partnerships-in-2022

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-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

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

How Franchise Brands Are Leveraging Celebrity Partnerships in 2022

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS