# Star-Shaped Burger Buns These Unusual Burger Buns are Inspired by the American Flag By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-01-22 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starshaped-burger References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2016/01/mcdonalds-italy-serves-up-american-inspired-burgers-with-star-shaped-buns.html) & [mcdonalds.it](http://www.mcdonalds.it/great-tastes-of-america) McDonald's Italy recently introduced several different star-shaped burger buns as part of its 'Great Tastes of America' promotion. While Italians are already familiar with hamburgers, this promotion gives the iconic dish an added touch of Americana. The Great Tastes of America promotion consists of three different star-shaped burger buns: a plain bun, a sesame bun and a cornmeal-dusted bun. The buns are available with five specialty burgers, each of which is inspired by a different state. The New York-inspired [Empire Classic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/master-cook-meal-kits) has already finished its menu run and the Arizona-based Route 66 Smoky Bacon is currently available. The burgers set to be released in the coming weeks include the Los Angeles-inspired [Hollywood Supreme](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hollywoodthemed-games), the Texas-centric Ranch BBQ and the Miami-based [Ocean Drive Special](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-distillery). While the burgers themselves are all subtle twists on familiar classics, the star-shaped buns add a delightful touch of Americana to the promotional menu. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 9% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Star-shaped Burger Buns:** Opportunity for innovative burger bun designs that evoke a sense of novelty and nostalgia. - **Great Tastes of America Promotion:** Opportunity to create themed promotions that celebrate various regions or cultural influences. - **Specialty Burgers Inspired by States:** Opportunity to develop menu items that represent different regions and their unique flavors. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fast Food:** Opportunity for fast food chains to create limited-time promotional items that stand out from the competition. - **Food Packaging:** Opportunity to design innovative food packaging that enhances the visual appeal and experience of the product. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Opportunity for marketers to leverage regional or cultural influences to create compelling promotions and campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artisanal Foodservice Burger Buns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artisan-burger-buns.md) - [NYC-Inspired QSR Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-york-burgers.md) - [Regional Italian QSR Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/italian-kings-burgers.md) - [NYC-Inspired Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/come-on-baby-ny-burgers.md) - [Flavorful European Burger Lineups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/european-burgers.md) - [Juicy Retro-Inspired Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-1955-burger.md) - [Croissant-Like Burger Buns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/round-butter-croissant-buns.md) - [Patriotic Americana Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-stars-and-stripes-dozen.md) - [Butter-Soaked Burger Buns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guilty-porcini-burgers.md)