This week's Fun Friday starts off with one of the funniest videos—and photo—we've ever received in our work inbox. 

This summer, Frito-Lay's Doritos—a brand known for bringing fans the unexpected—is going bolder than it ever has before by turning up the tease, not the heat, with the debut of an all new hot-ish comedic short film: “A Spicy, but Not Too Spicy Plumber.”

The new flick stars actor and man of the moment Walton Goggins and is inspired by the brand's newest flavor, Doritos Golden Sriracha. Available on store shelves nationwide now, Doritos Golden Sriracha took inspiration from Asian flavors, blending peppers, garlic, and onion to create a tangy bite with an approachable heat that lingers instead of overwhelms, the brand says.

In the film, Goggins seems to be playing the stereotypical spicy role—he’s the plumber who “knows how to handle his tools.” But it turns out he's genuinely only interested in fixing the leak. Throughout the flick, Goggins encounters many tempting characters—from a classic bombshell to a delivery guy with an extra-large sausage pizza—who try to entice him to take the heat out of the kitchen, but Goggins is never distracted from the job at hand.  

The film, which will screen for one night only at a VIP influencer event at New York City's Slipper Room—a theater known for its origins as the birthplace of the city's neo-burlesque—will also receive 360 support and air as an OLV across digital, social, and out-of-home channels. The film will also take over New York City with billboards placed near Times Square and throughout the city. 

See the film here on YouTube, or at the embedded video below.

McDonald's menus abroad go viral, experts reveal most-wanted items

Whether consumers are enjoying an all-inclusive holiday or exploring a foodie hotspot, sometimes all they really want is a McDonald’s. Affordable, reliable, and globally recognizable, it’s a comfort food staple. But step into a McDonald’s abroad and you might be surprised: from shrimp burgers in Japan to spaghetti in the Philippines, menus around the world are packed with unexpected local twists.

Holiday experts at Travel Republic have analyzed global search data on Google and TikTok to discover the most popular international McDonald’s menu items that are exclusive to particular regions, so consumers can add a quick stop to their itineraries during summer travels to see what all the hype is about. 

More than just the menus, McDonald’s in different countries also offers different experiences. One viral TikTok with almost 128K views shows the fast-food chain in Budapest transforming after 10 pm with a DJ set and lights. The unique toys and accessories you can get in Happy Meals abroad are also causing traction on the social media app, with one couple documenting their travels to Italy to obtain the McDonald’s beach towel, racking up over 124K views. 

The top trending international McDonald's menu items include (with some ties):

1. Croque McDo, France
2. McKroket, Netherlands
3. McSpaghetti, Philippines
4. Greek Mac, Greece
5. McAloo Tikka, India
6. Bulgogi Burger, South Korea
6. McToast, Italy
8. Maharaja Mac, India
8. McBaguette, France
10. Taro Pie, Asia

Methodology: Travel Republic used keywordtool.io to analyze worldwide search volumes across TikTok and Google for 25 different international McDonald’s menu items that are exclusive to that region. These were then given a weighted ranking to determine the most popular. 

Pop-Tarts, Chain team up on ice cream sandwiches

Kellanova's Pop-Tarts brand is teaming up with Chain, the dining phenomenon reportedly known for its playful collaborations and reimagined takes on "pop-cuisine," to test out two new, boundary-pushing Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwich flavors in celebration of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day (August 2). Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches by Chain pop-up will be coming to Los Angeles where attendees will have their choice of two sweet toaster pastry treats inspired by viral flavor trends. 

For LA eaters interested in attending the pop-up event, a limited number of Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches will become available for pre-reservation. Consumers can join the invite list by texting (505)-552-4246 and reserve a free ticket/sample in advance. When tickets drop, a unique ticket site URL will be sent via SMS. The site will contain the exact truck location and all the details needed. Spots are limited, so tickets are first-come, first-served.

Not LA based? Fret not! The specially crafted recipes are available for consumers to create at home. Keep an eye on @PopTartsUS socials for all the details. 

Flavors available will be:

• Pop-Tarts Strawberry Matcha Ice Cream Sandwich: This blend of classic and modern flavors combines the Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry toaster pastries with the earthy sophistication of matcha ice cream, complete with a sweet strawberry swirl.
• Pop-Tarts Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich: Inspired by the rich Dubai chocolate that has taken the internet by storm, this ice cream sandwich combines Pop-Tarts Frosted Chocolate Fudge toaster pastries and pistachio ice cream folded with toasted kadaifi and a tahini-chocolate swirl.

Consumers can find Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry and Pop-Tarts Frosted Chocolate Fudge toaster pastries at retailers nationwide. Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches—available in Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Strawberry, and Frosted Chocolate Fudge flavors—are available in the frozen aisle nationwide.

Kraft Mac & Cheese launches Pizza flavor

Mac & cheese or pizza? Kraft Mac & Cheese says, “both!” The brand is reimagining pizza night by combining two of comfort foods into one mashup.

Kraft Mac & Cheese is serving up a slice with its newest limited-edition flavor: Pizza. With bold, savory notes of garlic and classic Italian spices, Kraft captures the essence of a classic slice in every bite, bringing pizza-y goodness to its signature mac & cheese. To celebrate the launch, consumers in New York City, Chicago, and Detroit—three of the most iconic pizza capitals in the U.S.—can get Kraft’s newest flavor delivered just like a pizza straight to their doorstep in as little as fifteen minutes in a custom Kraft Mac & Cheese pizza delivery box. Consumers can order on Gopuff while supplies last, as Fridays are the most popular night of the week to order pizza delivery.

Each delivery box reportedly not only looks like it’s straight from the neighborhood pizza parlor, but it smells like it too, complete with that fresh-from-the-oven pizza scent wafting out. In addition to the new flavor and custom box, the deliveries will include packets of red pepper flakes for any spicy pizza lovers who want to customize their Kraft Mac & Cheese. Perhaps the best part, Kraft is offering its new pizza delivery experience for just one dollar, inspired by the recent revival of the cult classic dollar slice. 

Those unable to experience the delivery can still try the new Kraft Mac & Cheese Pizza flavor, now available for purchase on shelves at retailers nationwide.

DoubleTree by Hilton to offer free cookies on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (Aug. 4)

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is just around the corner. On Monday, August 4, DoubleTree by Hilton is offering a complimentary signature, warm chocolate chip cookie, or the allergy-friendly version, to anyone who stops by any of its nearly 400 U.S. hotels.

The brand’s chocolate chip cookie has become a symbol of its warm welcome and caring service, earning a loyal following around the world. Some milestones include:

• 2019: Became the first-ever food baked in space during experiments aboard the International Space Station.
• 2023: The allergy-friendly version was introduced to extend a welcome to even more guests.
• 2024: The famous cookie baked in space landed on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. 
• Later this year, consumers will be able to enjoy the Cookie-tini, a dessert cookie martini featuring the signature DoubleTree cookie, crafted by piebird, a new restaurant and bar concept launched by DoubleTree Hilton.

Today, over 20 million DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies are enjoyed each year, using over 1.2 million pounds of chocolate chips.