Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse engaged in Twitter fisticuffs this week, using memes as weapons.
Texas Roadhouse shared a tweet from a fan showing a picture of two restaurants from the “SpongeBob SquarePants” cartoon, the Krusty Krab and the Chum Bucket. In the cartoon, the Krusty Krab is more popular than its competitor. So, the tweeter photoshopped Texas Roadhouse’s sign over the Krusty Krab’s and Outback’s logo over the Chum Bucket one.
“Legendary FACTS,” the customer said in the tweet, which was shared by Texas Roadhouse.
Legendary FACTS pic.twitter.com/YyPG0F2sLc
— Daisie Hilborn (@daisiehilborn1) March 19, 2018
Outback Steakhouse replied by tweeting a picture of “Spongebob” character Patrick Star, with the message, “When you see Texas Roadhouse try to throw shade but they’re too scared to @ you.”
— Outback Steakhouse (@Outback) March 20, 2018
Numerous consumers weighed in with their opinions on the chains before Texas Roadhouse responded, “When your comebacks are as dry as the steaks you serve.”
When your comebacks are as dry as the steaks you serve 😳😳 https://t.co/YlJZpJN4zB
— Texas Roadhouse (@texasroadhouse) March 20, 2018
Outback fired back with an image of Kermit the Frog sipping tea, with the insult, “Big words for a place that serves a steak called Road Kill, but that’s none of our business.”
Big words for a place that serves steak called Road Kill, but that's none of our business... pic.twitter.com/tEsEqUelZI
— Outback Steakhouse (@Outback) March 20, 2018
The “SpongeBob” meme has grown in popularity in recent weeks, used by consumers to compare two things. It has been modified to compare Buffalo Wild Wings versus Wing Stop, as well as topics like pancakes versus waffles, Costco versus Sam’s Club and NBA stars LeBron James versus Michael Jordan.
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