When Walker Hayes released his viral "Fancy Like" hit in 2021, Hayes suddenly became a spokesperson for Applebee's. Hayes namechecks the restaurant when he sings, "Yeah, we fancy like Applebee's on a date night / Got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake." Not only did the song make Hayes an instant superstar, but it also got him a commercial and a gold card, giving him free Applebee's for life.
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The gold card, unfortunately, might now be going to waste, since Hayes says he is done with the restaurant chain, at least for a while.
"Applebee's was so good to us, and they always are ... but you know, you fatigue of a restaurant," Hayes tells Taste of Country.
Hayes compares his feelings to Applebee's to another popular restaurant, where he used to work years ago. To this day, he can't stand it, unfortunately.
"I used to work at Macaroni Grill," Hayes reveals. "And I mean, the food is solid and the service is amazing — their whole brand is amazing — but if I just smell the Macaroni Grill, then I need to drive to another town."
"And I think we're there on Applebee's," he adds.
What Happened With Walker Hayes And Applebee's
When "Fancy Like" made Hayes a household name, not only did Applebee's bring back their once-retired Oreo milkshake, but they also tapped into Hayes' popularity. It worked, at least for a while, until it didn't.
"[We] rushed it, so hard," Hayes says. "We did meet and greets there. We've had to-go boxes with steaks. We've had so many melted Oreo shakes, you would not believe. ... I'd be fine if I never ate another Oreo again."
Hayes admits he is a bit sad about the love he no longer has for Applebee's, even if he can no longer bear to go back into the restaurant.
"It's funny how something is great and just awesome," he reflects. "And one day you just wake up, and it's just like, 'I can't. I can't do it again.' We're taking an Applebee's break now."
Hayes has fortunately gone on to have plenty of other hits after "Fancy Like," including "AA," although his wife didn't like the song.
