# Red Head-Focused Look-Alike Contests Wendy's Draws in Attention with a NYC Look-Alike Contest By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-05-24 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lookalike-contest References: [irwendys](https://www.irwendys.com/news/news-details/2026/Wendys-Celebrates-Its-Redhead-Roots-with-NYC-Look-alike-Contest-on-World-Redhead-Day/default.aspx)  [Wendy's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-contest) is continuing its playful campaign tactics with its newest campaign — a look-alike contest, set to occur at Seaport Square in New York City on World Redhead Day, which falls on Tuesday, May 24, 2026. Essentially, the popular quick-serve restaurant strives to celebrate its "[redhead roots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hard-mtn-dew-code-red)" by finding the person who most looks like the mascot. Everyone is welcome to join Wendy's look-alike contest — "from natural red hues and pigtails to wigs, freckles and the iconic blue and white collared dress." For the winner, the company is promising free [Dave's Single®](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-mozz) hamburgers for a year. In addition to the contest, attendees will be able to enjoy "music, giveaways, photo ops, and special surprises." Image Credit: Wendy's ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 75% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Experiential Brand Activations:** Pop-up competitions and live events that create shareable moments blur physical-digital boundaries and enable new revenue and loyalty models. - **Nostalgia-powered Campaigns:** Leveraging legacy brand characters and retro aesthetics rekindles emotional connections and opens pathways for limited-edition products and subscription tie-ins. - **Inclusive Look-alike Promotions:** Campaigns that celebrate diverse appearances and costume play expand audience participation metrics and introduce scalable personalization technologies for merchandising. ### Where This Applies - **Quick-serve Restaurants:** Fast-food chains experimenting with mascot-centric events can transform customer retention through gamified loyalty ecosystems. - **Events & Live Experiences:** Live-event producers integrating branded contests are positioned to monetize micro-experiences and hybrid attendance via AR-enhanced participation. - **Advertising & Marketing Agencies:** Agencies building identity-focused activations may create data-rich creative platforms that tailor campaigns to microsegments and influencer personas. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Basketball-Inspired Complimentary Menu Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-fries-and-frosty.md) - [Limited-Edition QSR Rewards Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-rewards-drops.md) - [Singles-Focused QSR Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daves-single-cheeseburger.md) - [QSR In-App Football Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tendy-toss-inapp-game.md) - [Whimsical Gothic-Themed Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meal-of-misfortune.md) - [Fruit-Forward Summertime QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-seasonal-menu.md) - [Host-Inspired QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-and-fox-big-noon-kickoff.md) - [Interchangeable Kids Meal Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-potato-head-kids-meal.md) - [QSR Lookalike Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-contest.md)