In-Game Recipe Challenges

KFC Challenged Gamers to Complete The Recipe Run in The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gives players the chance to cook fried chicken and KFC was quick to create the first brand-created speedrun called The Recipe Run. KFC challenged thousands of gamers from 17 different countries to compete in The Recipe Run as fast as possible by cooking their own KFC-style chicken within the video game.

The Recipe Run has users gather chicken, oil, 11 herbs and spices throughout the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and in collaboration with SRE (@SpeedrunEspanol,) the branded speedrun became a global competition.

Most impressively, KFC Spain succeeded at getting fried chicken cooks to become consumers of its fried chicken, with web traffic increasing by 58% during the days of the action and 44.5% of orders placed via desktop.

In-game Recipe Challenges
Explore the trend of brands creating in-game challenges where players can complete recipes in video games.
Branded Speedruns
Discover the rise of branded speedruns as a unique marketing strategy where companies challenge gamers to complete certain objectives in video games.
Increased Web Traffic and Orders
Observe the impact of in-game challenges on web traffic and sales, as seen with KFC Spain where web traffic increased by 58% and 44.5% of orders were placed via desktop during the action.

Industries Being Reshaped

Fast Food
Consider the potential for fast food chains to create branded in-game challenges to engage with a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Gaming
Recognize the opportunity for gaming companies to collaborate with brands and create customized in-game challenges to generate user engagement and brand awareness.
E-commerce
Explore the potential for e-commerce platforms to leverage in-game challenges as a marketing tool, resulting in increased website traffic and sales.
SCORE
3.5 out of 10
GENDER
70% Men30% Women
MARKETTop markets: Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 29%
Activity 54%
Freshness 21%

Solutions for innovators working at the edge of change. We help transform emerging ideas into practical, durable solutions by combining strategic thinking, creative exploration, and hands-on execution.

Trends © 2026 Trend Hunter Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LinkedIn Instagram X