📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Brooklyn Pizzeria Nails Viral Marketing With Its Safe, Edible Take on the Tide Pod Challenge Vinnie's Pizzeria jumped quickly on the disturbing trend and came out with PIEd Pods.

By Stephen J. Bronner Edited by Dan Bova

entrepreneur daily
Vinnie's Pizzeria | Twitter

Tide Pods are not food. They clean clothes. They should never go in your mouth.

But, that hasn't stopped kids and young adults from ingesting them anyway, all in a bid for some quick internet fame.

Related: I Tried Out an Exoskeleton That Some Ford Workers Are Using -- and It Was Great

Sean Berthiaume, co-owner of Vinnie's Pizzeria in New York, told Entrepreneur that he had a dream involving an edible item based on Tide Pods. He then created PIEd Pods, mini calzones with the hypnotic colors of Tide Pods. Once he posted an image of them online, "it blew up," he says.

Online fame and the subsequent media coverage it brings is great, but what does it mean for his business? Customers coming to the shop from all over the country, he says.

I spoke to Berthiaume about creating new items based on pop culture and other methods to market your business. Check out the video below.

Stephen J. Bronner

Entrepreneur Staff

News Director

Stephen J. Bronner writes mostly about packaged foods. His weekly column is The Digest. He is very much on top of his email.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Carnival Cruises Officially Installs Elon Musk's Starlink Internet on 100% of its Ships

Starlink is now the official internet for Carnival passengers.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Major U.S. Airlines Are Suing the Government Over 'Capricious' Fee Transparency Law

Southwest Airlines opted not to join the other airlines in the lawsuit.

Business News

Wegovy-Maker Presents Results of Its Longest Study Conducted So Far on Weight Loss — Here's What to Know

The company's data showed that the drugs were effective over multiple years, even if there are still unknowns.

Health & Wellness

How This CEO Turned 99 No's Into a $500 Million Sleep Tech Powerhouse

Eight Sleep's Matteo Franceschetti reveals his journey from nightmarish rejection to dream-like motivation.