Branded merchandise isn’t exactly a new marketing innovation. Major companies have used this strategy for decades, creating popular products that customers clamored for.
From luxe lamps to car sun shades, some of these items eventually reached collectible status as cult classics. And that means you could make extra money just by selling this type of nostalgic memorabilia.
Which rare food-brand vintage promotional items could fetch high prices online or at auction? Here are 12 of the top sellers.
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McDonald’s Ronald McDonald Plastic Ring
Estimated market value: $24.99
Even though $24.99 might not seem like a windfall, it’s a sizable sum for a piece of plastic. If you’ve hung on to one of the 1970s vintage Ronald McDonald rings for the past five decades, now is the time to sell. That said, if your ring isn’t in great shape, you might not get the best price. We spotted a used retro ring listed on eBay for just under $10.
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McDonald’s Glasses
Promotional drinking glasses are a fast food restaurant staple. McDonald’s glassware weathered a major health controversy in the 1970s that sparked a backlash large enough to nearly halt production.
Over the years, some of these products were recalled, including the 2010 Shrek Forever After 3D collection (for cadmium contamination). But if your classic cups live in a curio cabinet, lead and other similar issues may not necessarily affect the sales price. Collectors want something to display and not use.
If you do have concerns over chemicals in old McDonald’s glassware, plastic promo cups are also top sellers. We found a set of 12 USA Dream Team tumblers from 1992 on eBay listed for $57.50.
Pizza Hut Lamp
Estimated market value: $294.99
The iconic stained-glass Pizza Hut ceiling lamps have a Tiffany-style look that collectors will still pay a premium for.
While these fixtures weren’t made by the legendary Louis Comfort Tiffany artisans, the nostalgic pizzeria products are fan favorites.
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Red Plastic Pizza Hut Cups
Like the brand’s lights, Pizza Hut’s classic red plastic cups are vintage items that could potentially earn you extra cash. We noticed a set of four listed on eBay for $60. That’s $15 per cup.
McDonald’s Vintage Happy Meal Toys
Happy Meals aren’t just for kids. At least, when it comes to the vintage collectibles market. The first of these boxed burger-and-fry combos hit stores in 1979 and featured the Circus Wagon Train theme. In the years since, the fast-food giant has introduced more than a few new meals, all of which include toys and trinkets that could be worth money now.
Like other retro food-brand promo products, the better condition your Happy Meal toys are in, the more you could potentially earn. We found a Disney DuckTales box with an unopened toy from 1988 listed on eBay for $40.
Doritos Dancing Bag
Did you nab an in-store display years ago? Some of these grocery store-ready promo picks could fetch a high price online. A rare, never-assembled mechanical moving 1990s Doritos Dancing Bag display was listed on eBay for $395.
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Oscar Meyer Weinermobile
Oscar Mayer’s beloved Wienermobile is instantly recognizable, making it one of the brand’s most popular promotions. And while most people don’t have the full-sized vehicle in storage, you could have a miniature version to sell.
The original Wienermobile debuted in 1936 as the brainchild of Carl Mayer (the company’s founder’s nephew). In the years since, it’s changed, grown, and turned into an American icon that has inspired a range of miniatures. We found these classic toys listed for $89 or more.
McDonald’s Wall Clock
It’s “time” to think about selling this collectible clock. Even though timepieces may seem like a thing of the past, McDonald’s 1991 promo was listed for up to $50 online. The battery-operated throwback features the brand’s logo and an artsy, retro French fry graphic.
Taco Bell Auto Sunglasses Shade
Estimated market value: $55.99
Back in the 1980s, this fast food marketing masterpiece could have kept your car cool. While it still works, it’s more valuable as a collector’s item now.
Wendy’s Where’s the Beef Metal Tray
Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” campaign is a classic. The legendary saying is now one of the most recognizable slogans in fast food history. Originally airing in 1984, the commercial spawned a wave of merch, including this round aluminum 14-inch tray.
Pillsbury Doughboy Ceramic Cookie Jar
Estimated market value: $41.64
Old cookie jars, like this 1988 Pillsbury ceramic container, could make you money online. According to Pillsbury, the Doughboy (a.k.a. Poppin’ Fresh) debuted in 1965 when a copywriter had the idea to create a brand mascot.
Over 60 years later, he’s appeared in more than 600 ads and lent his likeness to promotional products galore.
Burger King Ashtray
Estimated market value: $59.99
Gone are the days when companies handed out branded ashtrays. And that, combined with the nostalgia factor, is what makes this item so special. The gold-edged porcelain ceramic piece not only features the fast food chain’s name but also its slogan (Home of the Whopper).
Burger King isn’t the only company that made this type of item. You could also find similar collectibles from Hamburger Hamlet (market price: $23.50), McDonald’s (market price: $16), and Del Taco (market price: $27.50) on eBay.
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Bottom line
Rare retro promo products from the top food companies are in demand. So if you’re looking for a way to put extra cash into your pocket, search your stash for something special.
Not sure how much your collectible is worth? While sites like eBay can give you a good idea of the current market value, some of these throwbacks could require an expert appraisal. Consider contacting an antiques professional who specializes in this type of item before listing or selling your vintage foodie finds.
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Calista Headrick leads our jobs and lifestyle content, writing and editing nearly 600 articles for FinanceBuzz. You can find her sharing thoughts on real estate, travel hacks, smart shopping, and the seemingly always unpredictable job market. She brings firsthand financial experience to her work and is proud that her personal budgeting system has helped her save a six-month emergency fund. In other words, Calista brings real-world know-how into guidance readers can actually use.
