Chick-Fil-A will be using Berenstain Bears books as a replacement for the Jim Henson kids meal toys, and the Berenstain Bears seem to be none-too-pleased about it. Claiming they have little control over the product placement, the Berenstain Bears are hoping upset consumers blame their publisher, whom, they say, has been working on the project for over a year.
“Our publisher, HarperCollins, is marketing several of their Berenstain Bears titles through a kids’ meal promotion at Chick-fil-A scheduled for August. This program was in development for over a year. We were unaware of any controversy involving Chick-fil-A until July 25. The Berenstain family does not at this time have control over whether this program proceeds or not. We hope those concerned about this issue will direct their comments toward HarperCollins and Chick-fil-A.
The Berenstain Family”
Curiously, there are no comments on the Facebook post, although it has 17 shares and well over 100 likes as of this writing.
Andy Towle notes:
Ironically, the book reportedly being pushed in the Kids Meals is one that teaches the “Golden Rule”.
“Jan Berenstain, who with her husband Stanley created the series in 1962, passed away in February; Stanely [sic] died in 2005,” the Hollywood Reporter adds.
Of course, there’s a petition to “Tell the Berenstain Bears to follow the Muppets’ lead and cut ties with Chick-fil-A.”