Chili's
Fast Food Financing
Fast food prices too damn high? Chili’s has a solution.
Enter Chili’s Fast Food Financing—a bold, almost too relevant pop-up experience from Edelman US, brought to life by the team at m ss ng p eces, led by ECD Mike Woods.
To serve up a spicy take on the rising cost of fast food, we transformed an empty storefront in NYC’s bustling Union Square into a full-blown payday loan shop, complete with neon signs, bunting, balloons, and funky digital light boards. And if that didn’t get your attention, our talented sign spinners did.
Inside, guests were greeted by our friendly “branch manager,” clipboard in hand. After filling out a cheeky loan application, each guest was “approved” for financing… in the form of a Chili’s gift card. When it came to the interior, we thought of everything, from classic loan financing counters, step-and-repeats with a cardboard cutout, TVs playing those unmistakable financing commercials, to an unforgettable dollar-bill-covered carpet.
But we weren’t done. A hidden bank vault door led visitors into our Chili’s speakeasy—a cozy, lounge-like backroom serving up free, delicious Chili’s favorites. A total vibe shift from the payday storefront, the speakeasy featured warm lighting, plush seating, and custom Chili’s artwork, offering a taste of comfort without the financial anxiety.
And just to turn up the heat, we placed the activation right next door to a certain golden-arched fast food chain. The internet couldn’t get enough, and soon, lines wrapped around the block for a chance to experience Fast Food Financing for themselves.
@chilisofficial fast food is too expensive so we brought West and Jesse to Chili’s Fast Food Financing to get their next fast food meal financed and try our all new Big QP Burger. You’re welcome. #ChilisFastFoodFinancing #ChilisPartner ♬ original sound - Chili’s Grill & Bar