Wendy’s recent collaboration with “SpongeBob SquarePants” has sparked significant backlash from fans of the iconic show. Many are criticizing the fast-food chain for bringing the fictional Krabby Patty to life, which goes against the wishes of the show’s late creator, Stephen Hillenburg.
Wendy’s announced its “Krabby Patty Kollab” menu on October 2, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Fans quickly pointed out that Hillenburg had expressed his disapproval of using SpongeBob’s image for fast-food promotions. In a 2004 interview with The New York Times, he stated he never wanted to create a real-life Krabby Patty, a sentiment echoed by many on social media.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Stephen Hillenburg said explicitly he never wanted to make a real-life Krabby Patty. That is why in over 20 years they never made one.” Another user shared a screenshot of Hillenburg’s rule, reminding others of his stance.
The new menu features items like the “Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty” and the “Krabby Patty Kollab Burger,” which includes a quarter-pound beef patty topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a special Krabby Kollab sauce on a toasted bun.
Hillenburg had previously stated that while he was fine with candy and ice cream tie-ins for promotional purposes, he was against fast-food collaborations. He noted that SpongeBob’s role as a fast-food manager was ironic and not something to aspire to. “We didn’t want to suddenly become the people serving up food that’s not that good for you—especially kids,” he said.
Hillenburg passed away in 2018 at the age of 57 after battling ALS, leaving behind a legacy that many fans feel should be respected.
Following the announcement of Wendy’s collaboration, negative reactions flooded social media. Some users pointed out that Hillenburg had indicated Krabby Patties were not meat-based. One user lamented, “The creator of SpongeBob is rolling in his grave… Nothing is sacred when corporations are involved.”
Despite the backlash, reactions to the Krabby Patty meal have been mixed. While some fans praised it as delicious, others were disappointed, comparing it to Wendy’s Dave’s Single burger but with added mayonnaise. One Reddit user criticized it as “a miserable failure,” noting it lacked key ingredients from the original Krabby Patty.
On the other hand, some customers enjoyed the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, calling it “the best thing in the kollab.”
MassLive’s Nick O’Malley tried the Krabby Patty Kollab and concluded that it tasted like a regular beef hamburger rather than anything resembling crab. He humorously noted that it would be odd for Mr. Krabs to sell burgers made from his own kind.
As Wendy’s faces criticism for this collaboration, fans continue to voice their concerns over the commercialization of beloved characters and creations.
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