Contrary to some online buzz, the viral Grinch Meal for the 2025 holiday season was launched by McDonald's. Burger King countered with its own massive collaboration: the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Menu, released in early December to capitalize on a new film.
This year's fast-food holiday war is defined by these two competing franchise-themed menus. We break down Burger King's themed items, its limited-edition Advent Calendar, and the innovative approach of its 2025 holiday strategy.
6 Key Facts on Burger King's 2025 Holiday Promotions
The SpongeBob Menu is BK's 2025 Holiday Anchor: Burger King's primary limited-time holiday menu (LTO) is the SpongeBob SquarePants Menu, launched in early December 2025 to promote The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. This menu is its official festive offering, contrasting sharply with McDonald's Grinch theme.
Unique Themed Menu Items: The SpongeBob menu includes several distinct items: the SpongeBob's Krabby Whopper (a Whopper on a yellow, square bun), Mr. Krabs' Cheesy Bacon Tots, and Patrick's Star-berry Shortcake Pie—showing a higher degree of menu creativity than its competitor's offering.
Return of the Sell-Out Advent Calendar: Burger King’s popular limited-edition 12-Day Advent Calendar returned in November 2025, selling out almost instantly. The $19.54 calendar (a nod to the founding year) contained nostalgic food-inspired gifts and coupons, driving massive early social media engagement.
Experiential Marketing with App and Pop-Ups: The promotion was backed by significant digital engagement, including app-exclusive ordering experiences and a physical, immersive SpongeBob pop-up event held in Miami, targeting loyal Royal Perks members and leveraging regional hype.
Direct Competition with McDonald's Grinch Meal: Burger King's SpongeBob promotion went head-to-head with McDonald's debut of the viral Grinch Meal, which featured Dill Pickle McShaker Fries and collectible Grinch socks. This direct collision defined the highly competitive holiday fast-food marketing landscape.
Focus on Family and Collectibles: The partnership heavily targeted families, offering a King Jr. Meal in pineapple-shaped packaging, including one of six collectible SpongeBob toys and limited-edition themed paper crowns, securing family traffic during the holiday movie season.
Summary: Burger King's 2025 holiday strategy was defined by the viral SpongeBob Menu and the return of the sold-out Advent Calendar, directly challenging the McDonald's Grinch Meal. This year confirmed that unique, character-themed menu innovation and strong social collectibles are the key to winning the competitive holiday fast-food market.
