Side Note

White Castle wants you to have a threesome

Last week on Tinder, some users were met with what appeared to be a profile for two people. The couple, Peggy and Scott, encourage users in their bio to swipe right if they’re down for a “bacon threesome,” a terrifying image. Described as “fun, thirsty 20-somethings” looking to “add a little more flavor” to their relationship, the couple seemed like any other millennial pairing flirting with polyamory… except, of course they weren’t like any other millennial pairing. They were a White Castle invention, as part of a new ad campaign.

So, uh, what’s going on here? Why is the burger chain trying to make you think about an orgy? In an e-mail, White Castle vice president Jamie Richardson told The Outline that the ad isn’t necessarily meant to make you think about sex. (Seriously.) Instead, the chain took the plunge for three reasons: “1. A love of bacon. 2. A love for unexpected deals. 3. To share the love!”

“Our research confirms – love of bacon respects no boundaries.” Richardson wrote. The idea was created in conjunction with their agency partners, Merkley + Partners and Crossmedia, and officially launched on August 16. It’s meant to coincide with a limited time offer: The $3 Bacon Threesome has, you guessed it, three options. We’d explain them if that didn’t feel like doing the work for the franchise, so if you’re that enticed you can do the research yourself.

White Castle was one of America’s first fast food chains, though it’s never achieved the market penetration of a McDonald’s or Burger King. Still, they look to greet the future: Recently, they added the plant-based Impossible Burger to the menu, aiming for the hearts of young eaters. But for those who are meat-inclined and “hungry to try something new,” a threesome is apparently the best way to go.