The ketchup packet has been around for more than 40 years, and complaints about it for nearly as long: too messy, too small, too hard to open. Now ketchup giant H.J. Heinz Co.is unveiling the first major packaging change to the to-go condiment.

The new design has a base that’s more like a cup for dipping and also a tear-off end for squeezing, plus it holds three times as much ketchup than a traditional packet.

”The packet has long been the bane of our consumers,” said Dave Ciesinski, vice president of Heinz Ketchup. ”The biggest complaint is there is no way to dip and eat it on-the-go.”

Carl’s Jr. is no stranger to using attractive young ladies in their advertising, and they’ve just added Kim Kardashian to their list of popular celebs. A scantily clad Kim recently appeared in a sexy commercial eating one of the chain’s new Grilled Chicken Salads in bed, which has resulted in over 258 million media impressions to date since it’s launch prior to the holiday season. She has quickly proven to be their most popular spokesperson with their core audience, “the hungry guy”, resulting in more media impressions than all other spokespersons combined

Building on the spot’s success, the chain has posted a too hot for TV cut on it’s facebook page to gain added exposure. And, on Wednesday January 13, Kardashian will host a live streaming “lunch date” on the Facebook page. Fans who buy a salad in advance will get a code enabling them to ask questions and interact with Kardashian during the event. A virtual 3-D event invite is being featured under a “Salads Are Hot” tab on the brand’s Facebook page.

Source: Mediapost.com

Taco Bell is offering their new Black Jack Taco for FREE on Halloween night. Just head in to any Taco Bell from 6pm - midnight on 10/31 and receive your free taco.

McDonald’s has recently launched a new interactive sign where passers-by can interact with images displayed on McDonald’s giant LED screen, and visitors can take an interactive role at one of London’s most photographed locations, Picadilly Circus. Users can then upload their photos on a dedicated page on Flickr. Check out their photo album here and then check out their youtube video here

With all the fuss about carbs and obesity in recent years, Dunkin’ Donuts has been downplaying its namesake product. But no more. With the economy in the state it is in, the restaurant chain discovered that previously carb-conscious consumers were drifting back to doughnuts as comfort food. Since then, Dunkin Donuts has launched aggressive new campaigns targeting that fried-dough-craving demographic including full fledged online promotions. They have been extremely sucessful, including a “Create Dunkin’s next Donut Contest”.

Have you been eating more donuts lately?

KFC is offering to repave and cover up potholes for free in exchange for leaving their mark on the pavement. The fast food chain is stamping a stencil on top of the fresh pavement with the slogan “Re-freshed by KFC” as part of their “Fresh Tastes Best” campaign. The stamp is simply a chalk stencil outline blasted onto the new pavement that will wash away with the next rainfall. In some cities, they’ve even got a Col. Sander’s look alike applying the stencil to generate even more buzz.

KFC has already filled potholes in Louisville, Kentucky and stamped Col. Sander’s handy work with their stencil. The fast food chain has an open call to U.S. mayors to request city street maintainence and are hoping to help as many as four more cities with pothole problems. There is an estimated 350 million potholes across the nation… that’s a lot of impressions!