# Classroom-Inspired Food Ads McDonald’s Goes Back to the Basics with Chalkboard Menus By M | Published 2013-05-12 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-chalk-menus References: [thedrum](http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/05/09/mcdonalds-warsaw-goes-back-basics-hand-drawn-chalkboard-ad-campaign-ddb) & [mcdonalds](http://www.mcdonalds.ca/ca/en.html) [McDonald’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-night-posters) made Polish billboards unconventionally cutting-edge in its attempt to promote the freshness of its fast food with billboard-style, quirky, vintage chalk menus. Think of the folded colorful chalkboards many pubs and street restaurants place outside to alert people of the daily specials; McDonald’s embraced the idea of returning to more natural fast food and advertising. With the help of designers from ‘[DDB](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheeky-maccas)’ and graffiti artist Stefan Szwed-Stronzynski, McDonald’s abandoned its trademark red and yellow themes and immaculate burger photo ads for simple [hand-drawn images and homemade calligraphy fonts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dish-pics). McDonald’s pushed its employers to change their chalk billboards with daily featured specials—another first in the usually fixed menu. The theme is au-natural and very basic—as McDonald’s promises its food is. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hand-drawn Menus:** Opportunity for restaurants to create unique and personalized menu designs using hand-drawn images and calligraphy fonts. - **Return to Natural Fast Food:** Opportunity for fast food chains to promote the use of natural ingredients and advertise their commitment to healthier food options. - **Daily Featured Specials:** Opportunity for restaurants to offer daily changing specials, creating a sense of excitement and novelty for customers. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food:** Opportunity for fast food chains to innovate their advertising strategies and embrace more creative and authentic approaches. - **Design:** Opportunity for designers to collaborate with food businesses in creating unique and eye-catching menu designs. - **Graffiti Art:** Opportunity for graffiti artists to collaborate with businesses to create captivating and unconventional advertising campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Night QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-night-posters.md) - [Scented Fast Food Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scented-billboard.md) - [Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-mcdonalds-campaign.md) - [Fast Food-Inspired Beachy Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leo-burnett-italia.md) - [Pristine Fast Food Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-flavour-no-mess.md) - [Made-to-Order Burger Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-kings-advertisements.md) - [QSR Food-Inspired Door Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-france-1.md) - [Time Travel Fast Food Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflationary-mcdonalds-ads.md) - [Playful QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1.md)