In the world of fast-food marketing, few partnerships are as fun and immersive as Wendy’s collaboration, making our favorite cartoons into custom inflatable characters. These collabs aim to bring fans of all ages a memorable experience, merging the joy of a Wendy’s meal with the playful spirit of the characters we grew up with. Through a massive custom inflatable of SpongeBob at their Panorama City location, Wendy's transformed its drive-thru into a social-media-worthy event that combined nostalgia, fun, and food in a truly unique way. But how exactly did Spongebob come to life, and what goes into designing such bold marketing tools? Let’s dive into the creative process behind this giant display.
About the Wendy’s x SpongeBob Collaboration
This custom inflatable character was made for the collaboration between Wendy’s and SpongeBob SquarePants, a match made in Bikini Bottom! By teaming up, they aimed to create a fun and memorable experience for customers, tapping into the nostalgia of longtime SpongeBob fans while also appealing to a younger generation who continue to enjoy the show today. This partnership brought to life the Krabby Patty and a few other food items inspired from the show. For this launch, they turned the Panorama City Wendy's drive-thru into a shareable, social-media-worthy Spongebob experience. In a world where fast food can sometimes feel repetitive, this collaboration brought a whole lot of the show's quirky fun, turning every car trip into an adventure.
The Creation of the Inflatable SpongeBob for the Drive-Thru
Creating a custom SpongeBob replica was no small task—this wasn’t just about blowing up a balloon. We wanted to make sure that this display wasn’t just a static decoration but a larger-than-life figure that made people stop, stare, and wait hours in line at the Wendy's drive-thru and feel transported into his world. To create such a giant inflatable, we started with 3D renderings of SpongeBob, mapping out every element in detail, including his height, width, and overall proportions. Since he is known for his square shape, we had to make sure his proportions would work in real life on a much larger scale, while also considering factors like stability and balance. Once the design was finalized, it moved into production, where we created him with materials that ensured Spongebob was fire retardant and durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions. He might be absorbent and porous under the sea, but in the real world, we needed high-quality materials that would stay inflated, resist tearing, and endure the elements. We then used a custom-built frame base as the main support structure to hold SpongeBob in place. This gave the impression that he was hand-standing completely on his own.
The Rick and Morty Drive-Thru for Wendy's
Before SpongeBob, we had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Wendy’s on another exciting project: a Rick and Morty giant inflatable tunnel, also for the drive-thru. This collaboration was part of a promotional tie-in between Wendy’s and the popular animated series, designed to capture the surreal energy of the show and inject it into the fast-food experience. The inflatable tunnel was made out of Rick and Morty's giant heads, allowing fans of the show to immerse themselves in the chaotic world of interdimensional adventures, without even leaving their car! It was an innovative way to make the drive-thru experience feel more like a trip through a portal into another dimension—one with a Wendy’s meal at the other end!
Custom Inflatables
Custom inflatables are more than just fun, eye-catching marketing tools—they're a dynamic way to bring a brand’s vision to life in a bold and memorable fashion. The process of creating these custom pieces, from concept to installation, ensures that each design not only fits the brand’s unique needs but also makes a lasting impact. In this section, we’ll dive into how custom inflatables are made, the wide variety of features they can include, and why they’re the perfect solution for any promotional campaign or event.
Size and Scale: We offer incredible flexibility in size, from small indoor displays to massive outdoor installations. They can be tailored to fit any environment, with height and width adjustments made to suit specific needs. Inflatables are designed to maximize impact while fitting seamlessly into their surroundings, balancing aesthetic appeal with functional requirements like stability and accessibility.
Removable Banners: Adding a custom banner to these displays creates a versatile feature that enhances their adaptability for different events or promotions. These banners can be easily attached to the inflatable using hooks, velcro, or other secure fastening systems. This allows brands to swap out messaging or promotional content without needing to create a whole new inflatable. The removable banner is fully customizable and certain sizes can even be paired with our rental inflatables.
Shape and Form: They can be designed to take on a variety of forms, offering brands endless creative possibilities. Characters, such as popular mascots or animated figures, can be recreated in detailed, larger-than-life inflatables that instantly capture attention and connect with fans. They can also replicate products, such as giant burgers, soft drinks, or branded items, making them perfect for product launches or promotions where an oversized version of a recognizable product becomes a centerpiece.
Colors and Branding: Precise color choices can also be made to perfectly align with a brand’s identity. Logos, slogans, and other branding elements can be seamlessly integrated into the inflatable design, allowing businesses to promote their messaging directly on the inflatable itself. Additionally, colors can be adjusted to suit the theme of specific events or promotions, such as incorporating seasonal colors for holidays or special occasions.
Special Features: Lighting and projection mapping can significantly enhance the visual appeal and functionality of the display, especially for nighttime events or promotional displays. Internal or external LED lighting can be integrated into the design, allowing it to glow or remain visible even after dark. Projection mapping takes customization even further by projecting images, animations, or videos directly onto the display's surface. This technique allows for an ever-changing visual display that can adapt to different themes or campaigns.
Mounting Options: They can also be created with different mounting points for installations. Ground-based are the most common option, with the structure securely anchored to the ground using weights or stakes. They can also be hung from ceilings or other overhead structures. This option creates an eye-catching, floating effect that draws attention from every angle. Propped up on tents or other bases, inflatables can also be creatively positioned. Each mounting option is carefully chosen to maximize visibility, stability, and impact based on the environment and the desired effect.
Inflation Systems: Constant air blowers continuously pump air, which is crucial for keeping complex designs or larger installations fully inflated, especially for extended use or in outdoor environments. On the other hand, sealed air structures don’t require constant inflation. Once filled, these inflatables are sealed off and can hold their air for hours or even days without the need for an external blower. Both options offer flexibility depending on the size and duration of the display, ensuring it performs effectively in any setting.
This customization menu offers brands flexibility, creativity, and adaptability to fit any campaign, event, or promotional need!
Whether it’s the larger-than-life SpongeBob welcoming customers or a dynamic tunnel transforming a drive-thru into an interdimensional adventure, custom inflatable characters offer an unparalleled way to bring a brand’s vision to life. They’re not just a fun display, they are a creative, impactful solution to advertising your event or campaign. From conceptualization to installation, the possibilities are endless, and each inflatable can be customized to fit a brand’s unique identity and space.
Ready to create a bold, unforgettable experience for your next marketing campaign or event? Contact us today!