Movie Meals and Dirty Sodas Drive Summer Restaurant Promotions

Summer 2025 is going to be a blockbuster season for restaurant chains experimenting with movie tie-ins and beverage innovations. From KFC's Formula One collaboration to Jack in the Box's candy-inspired drinks, major brands are launching creative partnerships to draw customers.

KFC has brought back its Fill Ups menu comeback, priced at just $7 and tied to the Brad Pitt film "F1 The Movie," hitting IMAX theaters June 27. The Kentucky-based chain offers four meal varieties, each packed with chicken, sides, and desserts in movie-themed boxes.

"It's a really big deal that we're bringing back our Fill Ups — with four varieties of finger lickin' good meals that genuinely fill you up, for only $7," said KFC U.S. president Catherine Tan-Gillespie. "It's box meals meets box office in our Kentucky Fried Collab with F1 The Movie, so you can turn hunger for chicken into a victory lap this summer."

But KFC also entered the dirty soda trend with Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning Peaches & Cream Soda, launched June 9. This move makes sense given that Swig, the dirty soda pioneer, saw sales grow nearly 50% in 2024.

White Castle is taking a different approach with Marvel Television's "Ironheart," streaming June 24 on Disney+. The slider specialist created the "Mechanized Mix" Fanta beverage exclusively for Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Even better? Proceeds from Freestyle drinks support Girls Who Code, which has helped 670,000 people pursue tech careers.

"This collaboration with Marvel Television's 'Ironheart' is a perfect match for White Castle," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "Just as Riri Williams follows her Crave while taking on the world as Ironheart, our Cravers are everyday heroes who bring passion and joy to everything they do."

Photo Credit: White Castle

Meanwhile, Jack in the Box partnered with Sour Patch Kids for watermelon-flavored beverages starting at $3.29, while Wendy's secured exclusive sour Powerade flavors until they hit retail shelves in July.

These partnerships signal how restaurants are using entertainment and innovative flavors to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

by Alex Bailey | June 18, 2025 | SHARE