So many of us remember the commercial song “My bologna has a first name…” in fact, you probably completed it before continuing to read, and that’s just fine, but why did that need to be the start of this story? The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a colorful visit to Hastings for a few hours at Cub Foods and fans were reminded of the catchy tune making the stop even more nostalgic.
Folks gathered to snap photos, meet the friendly “Frankfurters,” and grab branded freebies and Frank Whistles and yes, they had all the cheesy, rated G jokes to go along with the job.
The modern Wienermobile stretches nearly the length of a school bus and cruises at highway speeds while igniting smiles across America. It was first introduced in 1936 by Oscar Mayer’s nephew, Carl Mayer. The original 13-foot, metal hot dog debuted in Chicago to boost morale during the Depression.
Today’s meat-shaped fleet consists of six vehicles, each piloted by two recent college grads, known as “Hotdoggers,” who take on the gig for one year. Despite having six seats and featuring creature comforts, the Frankmobile has no bathroom or kitchen.
In summer 2023, Oscar Mayer renamed the Wienermobile as the "Frankmobile" to promote its 100 percent beef franks, even changing the title of its drivers to “Frankfurters.” The name change was short-lived, as fans demanded the classic name back. By September, it returned to being the Wienermobile.
Hastings Cub Foods became part of a nationwide tour when the vehicle rolled in on July 11. The event featured interactive photo ops, branded merch giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the Frankfurters.
This playful marketing stunt goes beyond hot dogs. It builds community buzz and brings nostalgia to life. For Hastings, it offered a fun summer moment that thrilled families, brought people together outside Cub, and plastered smiles on every passerby.