Who Is MrBeast (And Why Is He Selling Burgers)?
While YouTube is now an established cultural phenomenon, the video-sharing service had a much less auspicious start. Per Insider, YouTube was created in 2005 by three former PayPal staff members. At its inception, YouTube was intended to be a way for singles to share videos with others and hopefully find a love match. However, the service quickly evolved into a way to upload and share all sorts of video content.
Fast forward to today and it's clear to see just how far YouTube has come. The site garnered $14 billion in ad revenue in 2019 and is now home to a variety of content creators with massive audiences. Influencer Marketing Hub shares a list of the biggest creators on the site, including "kid influencer" Ryan Kaji in the top spot. Kaji's Ryan's World channel appeals to the unique sensibilities of children to the tune of $30 million (which is what the young content creator earned in 2021). In second place is MrBeast, or Jimmy Donaldson to his friends and family. While best known for his compelling and expertly crafted videos, MrBeast is now offering a little something different to his fans.
A real Beast of a burger
Insider reports on the MrBeast phenomenon, which began when the content creator uploaded his first video at age 13. His first viral success occurred in 2017 when MrBeast filmed himself counting to 100,000. The stunt proved enticing to viewers, while also setting the stage for the kind of content MrBeast continues to upload today. MrBeast is also well known for his charitable efforts, which most recently entailed providing cataract surgery to 1,000 people.
In addition to his massively popular videos, MrBeast has also developed a food brand. MrBeast Burger first got its start as a pop-up restaurant in 2020, per the website's about page. MrBeast fans were invited to partake in menu items free of charge, which resulted in thousands of visitors. These same menu items are now available all over the nation thanks to MrBeast's partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts, which uses kitchens in existing restaurants to make orders and provides them via online delivery apps.
According to the website, MrBeast hopes that his burgers help dining establishments boost their revenues without disrupting their existing operations. Per Grubhub, the MrBeast Burger menu includes a range of burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, crinkle fries, and other tasty items. While MrBeast's concept seems rather innovative, it's actually part of an emerging trend.
The rise of virtual food brands
CNBC reports on the rising popularity of virtual food brands that utilize commercial kitchens and provide customers with food using apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Many well-known restaurants have established virtual brands, such as Denny's and Melt Down, which feature a menu of specialty sandwiches made within Denny's kitchens. Similarly, Carrabba's Italian Grill is also home to the Tender Shack, a virtual restaurant dedicated to chicken tenders.
As for MrBeast Burger, Insider reports that online orders can currently be placed in more than 300 locations throughout the U.S. However, the MrBeast Burger website also features locations in the United Kingdom and Asia, which illustrates the global influence of this wildly successful YouTuber. Along with placing orders via popular food apps, customers can purchase gift cards to ensure their friends and family get to sample the delicious menu. You can also visit the sole physical location, which can be found in New Jersey's American Dream Mall, per the gift card FAQs page. No matter what option you choose, you'll get to experience the novelty of an expertly crafted burger courtesy of the world's foremost YouTube personality.