Walker Hayes’ ‘Fancy Like,’ a Song About Applebee’s, Is Everywhere Now | Eater
"A mid-tier casual- dining chain thrust into the pop-culture spotlight after a viral country hit name-checked menu items, sparking TikTok date-night videos and renewed consumer interest. The song’s references to the Bourbon Street steak and an Oreo milkshake topped with whipped cream helped force the reinstatement of the longtime Oreo shake—originally pulled during the pandemic—and amplified a marketing moment for a brand that had been relying on promotions like $1 Long Island Iced Teas and unlimited fries to draw diners. The writer, who once worked there as a hostess, frames the chain as emblematic of comforting, everyday dining that appeals to middle-America sentiment, even as some view the song-driven resurgence as engineered pandering rather than genuine relatability." - Amy McCarthy
