It's official. McDonald's and Taco Bell are at war and it's gone viral.
After Taco Bell used a group of 25 real men from around the country named Ronald McDonald to promote its new breakfast menu, McDonald's has taken its gloves off and decided to strike back.
In response to Taco Bell's new ad, McDonald's replied with a tweet: "Breaking! Mayor McCheese confirms: Ronald, in fact, still prefers McDonald's."
McDonald's also announced on Friday that that it would be offering free small cups of McCafe coffee during regular breakfast hours from March 31 through April 13.
But in a move shocking to most, McDonald's fired back at Taco Bell by releasing a picture of its Ronald McDonald clown petting a Chihuahua, the signature dog used in a number of Taco bell ads. McDonald's took to Facebook to release the picture alongside the caption: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
The Huffington Post reported that Taco Bell's Chihuahua campaign ended in 2000. The main dog actor, Gidget, who is known for the famous saying "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" died in 2009. AdWeek said McDonald's response was their way of calling Taco Bell a "cute, harmless little competitor."
Taco Bell's breakfast offerings rolled out on March 27 and among the options included the Waffle Taco (warm waffle wrapped around sausage patty or bacon with eggs, cheese and syrup); A.M. Crunchwrap (scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheese and bacon or sausage in a flour tortilla); Cinnabon Delights (poppable Cinnabon treats).
These minor strikes are reportedly just the beginning for McDonald's, who owns a 25 percent share of the fast food breakfast market. The company said future plans include live musical performances and "spontaneous comedy experiences" at multiple cities across America.
What do you perfer McDonald's or Taco Bell?
Breaking! Mayor McCheese confirms: Ronald, in fact, still prefers McDonald’s. pic.twitter.com/hywd4x0Nt8
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) March 27, 2014