20 Forgotten Slogans of Companies You Know
You’ve heard them. You know them. And they became a part of your story, your history. Slogans capture our attention and stand out; for many, they are as real today as when they were in regular use.
By the end of our walk down memory lane, you’ll have a few tunes and jingles in your thoughts for the rest of the day. You can thank us later!
1. You Deserve a Break Today
McDonald’s
You’d think it was for KitKat, but You Deserve a Break Today (1989-1991) ran alongside a second advertising slogan, “The good time, great taste of McDonald’s” (1988 to 1990). Nearly 30 years after “You Deserve a Break Today” hit the marker, Advertising Age named it the top jingle of the 20th century.
2. Make a Run for the Border
Taco Bell
Taco Bell encouraged all of us to Make a Run for the Border during the 1980s and early 1990s. The intent of the marketing slogan was to inspire the old-time thrill and excitement of a race to Mexico…or at least the nearest Taco Bell.
3. What a Sandwich
Subway
“What a Sandwich” made an advertising run in the mid-1990s, coinciding with 1995’s Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Fortunately, Subway continued, while Ace Ventura is just a memory. Today, Subway declares, “EAT FRESH. REFRESH.”
4. Have a Barrel of Fun
KFC
The iconic barrel with the 1970s “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan made the natural connection for the KFC slogan, “Have a Barrel of Fun.” The phrase stayed in the minds of hungry mealgoers until the 1980s.
5. We Speak Fish
Long John Silver’s
Before this, “Put a Smile on Your Taste” was the tagline for Long John Silver’s. Is there any way to make fish sound exciting and tasty? This slogan only lasted about a year before being replaced with “That’s what I like” and eventually the current motto, “Fish Yeah.”
6. You Got 30 Minutes
Dominos
In 2007, Dominos shifted its pledge to offer pizza within 30 minutes with a subtle play on the familiar phrase. Instead of the guarantee, their press release at the time said they simply give customers 30 minutes of free time “because Domino’s Pizza is taking care of the meal.”
Despite the change in the US and Canada, the company continues to honor the 30-minute guarantee on orders in Colombia, Vietnam, Mexico, China, and India.
7. Where’s the Beef?
Wendy’s
Wendy’s wanted customers to know that their burgers were bigger and beefier than the competition. In the 1980s, “Where’s the Beef?” became synonymous with Wendy’s and led to a reported 30% increase in revenue for the chain of restaurants.
8. Have it Your Way
Burger King
Burger King maintained this slogan for 40 years before ending its run in 2014. “Be Your Way” became the new slogan, stroking the ego of customers by reminding them that it was completely acceptable to be themselves.
9. Slicing Up Freshness
Arby’s
The slogan appeared from 2012 to 2014, drawing attention to their unique way of offering meals – fresh sliced beef cut in-house. This slogan left the market in 2014 and was replaced with the familiar “We have the meats.” With Arby’s expanding its menu to include unsliced meats and other items, it seemed like a good time to change its slogan.
10. Think Outside the Bun
Taco Bell…again.
If you can believe it, Taco Bell stopped using that slogan in 2012 when it introduced “Live Más,” meaning live more. The old slogan captured the essence of the restaurant – burgers weren’t on the menu. It has been suggested that Live Más was the chain’s attempt to focus on a lifestyle experience rather than just food.
11. The milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hand.
M&Ms
When peanut M&Ms were introduced in 1954, the hard shell was tough enough to prevent the chocolate from melting in your hand. The candy—and the accompanying slogan—was even pitched to the military as a ration option since they were ideal for transport and storage.
12. Think Small
Volkswagen
It was 1959, and the iconic Beetle was rolling onto the scene. The Think Small campaign went on to become the best advertising campaign of the 20th century.
13. Quality never goes out of style.
Levi’s
It is not only an advertising campaign, but the slogan is embedded on the company's labels. Levi’s has been using the slogan since 1985 and is associated with their legendary denim jeans.
14. Where do you want to go today?
Microsoft
As personal computers made their way into households across the country, Microsoft was already exploring ways to connect with users. In 1994, as computers opened up a new world, Microsoft asked, “Where do you want to go today?”, becoming their most recognizable slogan.
15. Think Different
Apple
Apple is one of those companies that lives on the edge of innovation. From 1997 to 2002, they used this slogan to reflect themselves as a brand rather than a product.
16.“I’m Lovin’ It”
McDonald’s
This iconic slogan hit the scene in 2003 and is the longest-running tagline. The original jingle was written by Pusha T and sung by Justin Timberlake. The slogan continues to be used around the world, often in partnership with other taglines and marketing strategies.
17. “Stronger Than Dirt”
Ajax
The cleaning giant declared its supremacy over dirt in 1960. The Greek mythology hero, Ajax, was known to be strong and muscular, conquering the challenges that came his way – which apparently included laundry and household chores. The slogan seemed to work, as Ajax remains a staple cleaner in many homes.
18. “The Quicker Picker Upper”
Bounty Paper Towels
For over 50 years, Bounty’s parent company, Proctor & Gamble, used the catchy slogan to assure customers that it did exactly what it needed to do. And could do it better than the competition.
19.“Tastes So Good, Cats Ask For It By Name”
Meow Mix
Funny, creative, and playful. It’s a purrfect slogan for cat food. Created in 1976 plays on the affectionate…and sometimes demanding…call of the household feline friend. Give the cat what it wants, especially if it asks for it by name.
20. “It’s the real thing!”
Coca-Cola
Though it was initially launched in 1969, a commercial with this slogan bubbled up in 1971 during a Coke ad that featured another familiar slogan, “I’d like to buy the world a Coke.”
Speaking of Coca-Cola, how many slogans can you recall? Since the company began in 1886, it has invited us to be customers with 49 different slogans!
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