Applebee's Didn't Commission 'Fancy Like,' but It Was Happy to Have an Organic Brand Partner

How the restaurant chain turned a viral TikTok video into a brand partnership

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Fancy like Applebee’s? Although that may not sound like a five-star date night to some, the concept was enough to spur a viral movement thanks to a song written by Walker Hayes and an accompanying TikTok dance choreographed by Hayes and his 15-year-old daughter, Lela.

The song, “Fancy Like,” jumped to No. 1 on the Billboard chart, inspired more than 800,000 TikTok videos and sent hungry fans into restaurants nationwide, providing great buzz for the brand.

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