• by Teresa Buyikian , September 30, 2024

It’s probably relatively safe to say everyone has experienced “ghosting,” where someone in your life, generally a date, friend or colleague, suddenly goes no contact with zero explanation. Or perhaps you’ve done the ghosting, after a less-than-perfect first date or friendship that has run its course. Ghoster or ghostee, Carl’s Jr. feels for everyone in its latest social media effort to launch its Ghost Burger.

Named after the ghost pepper in ghost pepper cheese -- reportedly the hottest chili pepper in the world -- the Ghost Burger’s release is aptly timed to Halloween. Besides the spicy cheese, it features 1/3 pound of charbroiled Angus beef, “soul-scorching” sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, tomato, onion and lettuce on a toasted bun.

Beginning this week, the chain is asking customers to post their “bold and audacious” ghosting stories to social media with the comment #GhostMode. Now through Nov. 6, customers who share their sad and/or guilt-ridden tales will be entered to win a free Ghost Burger and Carl's Jr. swag by following Carl's Jr. on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook.

"Nothing burns more than getting ignored or left on read, except for the mouth-numbing heat of our new burger, The Ghost," said Vice President of Marketing Anthony Nguyen in a release. "At Carl's Jr., we see you, we hear you, and we want to give you burgers, swag and freebies to take your mind off of the burn from ghosting."

Also new on the menu is the Ghost Breakfast Burger, with a folded egg, bacon, Hash Rounds, ghost pepper cheese and that same ‘soul-scorching’ sauce. Rewards members can get two small, single Ghost Burger combos for $15 in the Carl’s Jr. app through Nov. 6.