# Viral Challenge Calzones The Pied Pod Calzone is a Pizzeria's Attempt to Cash in on a Sensation By Justin Lam | Published 2018-01-19 | Updated 2018-01-22 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pied-pod-calzone References: [cbc](http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.4493061/brooklyn-pizzeria-cooks-up-pied-pod-calzones-tide-pods-you-can-actually-eat-1.4493070) & [vice](https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5v4m4/we-tried-tide-pod-pizza) Cashing in on an infamous Internet movement, Vinnie's Pizzeria is selling the Pied Pod calzone. These miniature calzones are a hilarious take on the incredibly dangerous Internet stunts that involve teens eating [Tide](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youre-gonna-need-more-tide) detergent pods. Made to resemble the laundry detergent pods, the Pied Pod calzone is simply a [pepperoni-stuffed calzone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-culinary-crossover) with dyed cheese swirls on top. The Pied Pods are being marked by the pizzeria as a safe alternative for teens enamored by the viral phenomenon, and are quick to remind that its Pied Pods are 100% edible. The viral Tide Pod-eating stunt quickly made new headlines for its incredible danger and all-around ridiculousness. This strange stunt first began with a simple remark that the pods looks appetizing and quickly spiraled out of control. The situation has been parodied, memed and covered by a staggering amount of media outlets, and even led to statements/videos from [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-spa), the US Government and football star Rob Gronkowski, all condemning the act. Vinnie's Pizzeria is not the first restaurant to jump in on this Internet-inspired challenge, as Tide-like donuts have also been made and sold. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Viral Challenge Foods:** Opportunity for restaurants to capitalize on popular viral challenges and create unique menu items, generating social media buzz and foot traffic. - **Safe Food Alternatives:** Opportunity for companies to create safe versions of potentially dangerous viral challenges, providing a product that is entertaining and safe for consumers. - **Food Parodies:** Opportunity for businesses to create parodies of popular cultural trends, appealing to consumers' sense of humor and generating buzz around their brand. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can create unique menu items based on viral challenges, generating social media buzz and foot traffic for their establishment. - **Food Manufacturing:** Companies can create safe versions of potentially dangerous viral challenges, providing a product that is entertaining and safe for consumers. - **Marketing Industry:** Businesses can create parodies of popular cultural trends, appealing to consumers' sense of humor and generating buzz around their brand, helping companies with their marketing campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Customizable Grab-and-Go Calzones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calzato.md) - [Tiny Personal-Sized Calzones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calzini.md) - [Hybrid Pizza Tacos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-zaco.md) - [Sweet Viral Doughnuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brainrot-doughnuts.md) - [Virally Inspired Virtual Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creators-kitchen-as-seen-on-tiktok.md) - [Viral Delivery-Only Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiktok-kitchen.md) - [Customizable Calzone Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pieology-craft-your-own-calzone.md) - [TV Game-Inspired Pizza Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emergency-pizza-campaign.md) - [Peculiar Corn-Crusted Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corncob-crust-pizza.md)