Dubai bites into free nuggets craze
dubai — The Wendy’s chicken nugget craze has taken over Dubai following a viral tweet by an American teen who challenged the restaurant he could get 18 million retweets for a year’s supply of free chicken nuggets.
The Nevada-based Carter Wilkerson’s tweet has been retweeted 3.2 million times so far, with the hashtag #NuggsForCarter that’s trending worldwide.
He was invited on The Ellen Show last week, where TV host Ellen DeGeneres asked Wilkerson not to beat her retweet record. She currently holds the record of 3.3 million retweets. She offered the 17-year-old a year of free Ellen underwear supply if he backed down.
Khaleej Times spoke to several customers at Dubai-based Wendy’s restaurants, who said they’d “sing” or “tell jokes” for a year of free chicken nuggets. “I wish I had tweeted that first. If the restaurant here wants me to sing for them for some free chicken nuggets, sure, why not? I can tell a few jokes too,” said American expat Darren Smith.
Dannah Al Housani, 14, a British student in Dubai, said that she is also up for a challenge for Wendy’s free chicken nuggets. “They’re better than the ones most of the fast-food chains serve,” she said.
Iranian student Yasmin Vakili said: “The viral tweet is just crazy. My friends love nuggets, I think they’d be up for a retweet challenge for some nuggets.”
Residents in Dubai were also tweeting about the nugget craze.
Sarah Radwan tweeted: “I wish I could do the same and get some free nuggets delivered to Dubai.”
Sina Ghatea posted on Twitter: “@Wendy’s, I’m coming from Dubai to US to try some Wendy’s for the first time, this better taste good.”
One resident in Dubai suggested in a tweet that Wendy’s should rename their nuggets to “#TheWilkerson”.
Staff from Wendy’s in Dubai are reporting an increase in chicken nugget sales, with customers asking them for free nuggets. A cashier at Wendy’s Barsha Branch said: “We’ve
We also are seeing that more people want the chicken nuggets. I think we are selling more than 600 pieces everyday now. It’s definitely an increase.” Cashier, Wendy’s Motor City branch
been selling a lot of chicken nuggets now. We were wondering why all of the sudden people were going crazy for nuggets… now we know why.
(Carter Wilkerson’s) viral tweet is just crazy. My friends just love nuggets and I think they would be up for a retweet challenge to get some nuggets.” Yasmin Vakili, student in Dubai
“We are selling 700 pieces of chicken nuggets everyday just at this branch.”
The cashier at the Wendy’s branch in Motor City said: “Wendy’s has become so popular worldwide. More people are recognising us and they love the chicken nuggets. It’s amazing what has happened.
“We also are seeing that more people want the chicken nuggets. I think we are selling more than 600 pieces everyday now. It’s definitely an increase.”
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com