Unveiling the Strategy Behind Quiznos Mascot Commercial

The Quiznos mascot commercial was a marketing campaign launched by the sandwich chain Quiznos in the early 2000s. The campaign featured a cast of talking animals, primarily focusing on two characters: a pair of animated rats named SpongeMonkeys. The rats were created using a combination of live-action puppetry and computer-generated imagery, giving them a distinct and memorable appearance. The commercials featured the two rats singing catchy jingles in a high-pitched, slightly grating voice. The jingles typically revolved around the quality and freshness of Quiznos sandwiches, often accompanied by quirky and unconventional lyrics. The commercial's catchphrase, "We love the subs!" became a popular and widely recognized slogan for the company.

The commercial's catchphrase, "We love the subs!" became a popular and widely recognized slogan for the company. The Quiznos mascot commercials were a departure from traditional advertising techniques. The use of talking animals was a bold and somewhat risky move, as it was unconventional and unlike anything that had been seen before in the fast-food industry.

Quiznos is bringing back Spongmonkeys, its creepy rat-like mascots from 20 years ago, as the restaurant looks for a comeback

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Quiznos has brought back the Spongmonkeys, its creepy mascots, which last graced its ads in 2005. Quiznos

• Quiznos is bringing back the Spongmonkeys, its pair of creepy corporate mascots.
• The mascots are the stars of a new digital ad campaign that the chain debuted Tuesday.
• Quiznos closed 95% of its restaurants leading up to a 2014 bankruptcy, but it's planning a comeback.

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Quiznos is bringing back some of the creepiest mascots in corporate history: The Spongmonkeys.

A new digital ad campaign will feature the two creatures, shaped like small rodents but with human-like buggy eyes and teeth. In an ad that the sandwich chain posted to Youtube, the Spongmonkeys announce their return, with one singing and the other strumming a guitar.

"We are baaack on a road trip to get to Quiznos," one of the Spongmonkeys sings.

The last time the mascots were the face of Quiznos, the brand occupied a much bigger place on the American restaurant scene. The Spongmonkeys last appeared in an ad for the chain in 2005, when Quiznos had about 4,000 locations, according to Restaurant Business Online.

But the chain started to crumble in the late 2000s after a private equity buyout and as the global financial crisis started, according to 1851 Franchise, a publication for franchisees. Locations began to shutter, and in 2014, Quiznos filed for bankruptcy.

Since its peak, it has closed 95% of its stores, leaving it with just over 150 locations. "Quiznos' decline is the biggest in restaurant industry history," Restaurant Business reported in its own coverage of the Spongmonkeys' return on Tuesday.

The Spongmonkeys' reappearance is part of a larger effort to return the toasted sandwich chain to glory. The company said in a statement Tuesday that it started franchising new locations last year after a decade-long hiatus. Franchised locations were key to Quiznos previous store network.

"It's harder to find a Quiznos these days, and we're here to fix that, because it's a new day, and we're bringing Quiznos back," a narrator says at the end of the new ad.

"We love the subs!" one of the Spongmonkeys screams shortly afterward.

Quiznos seems aware that it has lots of ground to gain back.

"The Spongmonkeys were last seen in 2005, when they were loved and hated in roughly equal measure," CEO Tim Casey said in the statement. "The return of the brand's most famous mascots, the Spongmonkeys, marks the resurgence of Quiznos."

Watch:

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The two creatures—one of which is lead vocalist, the other of which floats around playing guitar— were not originally intended as corporate shills. C reated by Joel Veitch, founder of creative agency and early internet powerhouse Rathergood , the Spongmonkeys’ unholy likenesses were plopped on the internet in 2003 , singing a song about how they love the moon. Quiznos eventually became interested in using them in advertising —b ecause nothing shouts “ toasted subs” quite like the monsters that live in your childhood imagination.

However, the unique and quirky nature of the commercials helped them stand out in a crowded advertising landscape and garnered attention and buzz for Quiznos. The commercials were also known for their viral potential. The jingles and characters quickly became internet memes, with people creating parodies and remixes of the commercials. This viral exposure helped to further boost the popularity and visibility of the Quiznos brand. Despite their initial success, the Quiznos mascot commercials eventually faced criticism and backlash. Many people found the high-pitched voices and bizarre imagery of the SpongeMonkeys to be annoying and off-putting. The commercials also received criticism for not effectively conveying the taste and appeal of Quiznos sandwiches. In response to the backlash and declining sales, Quiznos eventually retired the mascot commercials and adopted a new marketing approach. The decision to move away from the mascot campaign aimed to reposition the brand and better align its messaging with consumer preferences. Overall, the Quiznos mascot commercials made a lasting impact on the advertising landscape. While divisive and ultimately short-lived, they successfully created buzz and awareness for Quiznos and remain a memorable and unique example of unconventional marketing in the fast-food industry..

Reviews for "Quiznos Mascot Commercial: When Humor Becomes the Driving Force"

- Sophie - 1 star

I found the Quiznos mascot commercial to be extremely annoying and off-putting. The character design was just strange and not at all appealing. Plus, the constant singing and dancing was grating to my ears. It definitely did not make me want to try their sandwiches. In fact, it made me actively avoid the brand. I hope they come up with a different marketing strategy soon.

- James - 2 stars

I have to admit, the Quiznos mascot commercial was memorable, but definitely not in a good way. The mascot was downright creepy and gave me nightmares. Not to mention, the jingle was annoying and stuck in my head for days. I don't understand why they thought this would be an effective way to promote their sandwiches. It's a shame because I actually enjoy their food, but this commercial has turned me off from supporting the brand.

- Emma - 1 star

The Quiznos mascot commercial was a complete disaster in my opinion. I couldn't understand why they would choose such a bizarre and off-putting character to represent their brand. It was not appealing at all and did nothing to make me want to try their sandwiches. If anything, it made me question their judgment and credibility. I hope they reconsider their marketing approach because this one was a major fail.

Quiznos Mascot Commercial: A Lesson in Effective Storytelling