# Cult Icon TV Dinners Ron Swanson Classics Features the Macho Character on Ready-Made Meals By Jason Soy | Published 2011-08-21 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ron-swanson-classics References: [facebook](http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150408003832598&set=a.187164667597.161535.63235852597&type=1&ref=nf) & [nymag](http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/08/ron_swanson_dinners.html) The fictional Ron Swanson Classics line of [TV dinners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hormel-square-table) should not come as a surprise to anyone who has been on the Internet for the past couple of months. After all, the memorable Parks and Recreation character is already a cult phenomenon, and the slew of [products based on him](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/totinos-spicy-pizza-rolls) have been overwhelming websites as of late. The Ron Swanson Classics TV dinner "Turf 'N' Turf" references an episode of Parks and Recreation in which Mr. Swanson eats a 16 oz. T-Bone and a 24 oz. Porterhouse steak to defiantly demonstrate to his subordinate, Leslie Knope, that he can do whatever he likes as a "Free American." **Implications** - Consumers enjoy seeing products made with [pop culture references](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/friends-meal) because they offer consumers a source of hilarity, a euphoria-inducer. Corporations may consider injecting humor into their products to entice consumers into buying their wares. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pop Culture-themed Products:** Corporations can capitalize on the popularity of cult icons by creating products that incorporate recognizable references, offering consumers a sense of nostalgia and entertainment. - **Humor-infused Marketing:** Injecting humor into product marketing can be an effective way for companies to capture consumer attention and generate excitement around their offerings. - **Online Memes as Inspiration:** Utilizing popular online memes or viral content as inspiration for products can tap into the shared humor and relatability among consumers, creating buzz and fostering brand engagement. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can leverage pop culture references and humor to create unique and entertaining products that appeal to consumers seeking a novel dining experience. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Incorporating humor into marketing strategies can disrupt traditional approaches and help companies stand out in the competitive landscape, attracting attention and driving brand awareness. - **Consumer Products:** Consumer product companies can explore the integration of internet memes and viral content into their offerings, connecting with tech-savvy consumers who appreciate culturally relevant references. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Content-Inspired QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-as-featured-in-meal.md) - [Premiumized Frozen Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-andrew-zimmern.md) - [Sitcom-Inspired Meal Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/friends-box.md) - [Sci-Fi Show QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-x-stranger-things.md) - [TV Dinner Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tv-dinners-restaurant.md) - [Retro QSR Meal Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonaldland.md) - [Dystopian TV Series Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nukablast-burger-meal.md) - [80s-Style Sci-Fi Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surfer-boy-pizzas.md) - [Dino-Themed QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primal-menu.md)