The Burger From Hell

In the USA there are so many of these kinds of challenges that there is a whole TV show devoted to them (Man vs. Food). You can look up that show's archives on the Travel Channel to get more ideas: Man v. Food Nation: Travel Channel

My memory is that the best segments on the show had a great story behind their eating challenge.

Good luck,
Marcia Yudkin

The Burger From Hell concept has been done- just model it after these, change it up a bit, make yours better, go for it:


Rooster's Roadhouse hell burger challenge | Star-Telegram.com

It's a cool idea.

Maybe there could be one night a week where only the bravest take on the challenge, at a discounted price. This could pull the punters in that day and then, springboard from there. I have a lot of ideas when it comes to restaurant marketing (3+ years, working in every role, and consulting).

Then the challenge could be the usual price the rest of the week, but hopefully the restaurant will be busier as the customers have already tried the experience.

"The Burger from Hell" by itself got my attention (without the "Challenge" in the headline).

You could write a piece about the burger. Set the stage. Tell a story. It got my curiosity going right away. You have an opening...now exploit it.

Sounds like a Simpsons episode.

Here's one idea. Notice in the video above they show the "Hold Harmless Agreement" people have to sign. You could have customers sign this before eating one.

I would then use that as a publicity hook to get local press. "Local Burger Joint Makes Customers Sign Release Before Eating 'Burger From Hell!'

Then try a Gary Halbert angle like, "Bob's Burgers Swears Under Oath Their Burger From Hell Does Not Contain Illegal Hot Peppers From Peru!"

IMO you're screwing the pooch if you make it a hot chili burger for the challenge.

Spice works in a challenge for things people are used to eating hot. But a burger is a different animal. It's not something people seek out based on how hot it is. I'm a spice freak, always getting the hottest wings or Pad Thai so hot it makes Thai people cry. But someone who goes for burgers isn't looking for big heat. In fact, the challenge may be getting a big burger eater to "ruin" his burger with all that heat.

If it's a burger kinda place then I propose you do some variation of the huge burger challenge. Like a 5 pound burger with a pound of fries or something like that. Eat it all in a set amount of time and you get your name and pic on the wall or something. Beat the record and you get your pic at the top and the meal for free. Or something like that.

If it's more of a heat sort of place I say forget the burger and do something heat seekers would be looking for. Wings or something like that.

2 cents.

Its a nice idea but you have to think, how many people in your area are going to want to like burn there mouth off?