Ad produced by:
Noodles & Company
The ad starts with an intriguing and bold statement: “Recipes imported from more countries than these cars.” At first, it captures attention with its relatable and everyday context—cars parked in a lot—then transitions to an unexpected comparison. This blend of the mundane with the extraordinary instantly piques curiosity.
The humor unfolds as your eyes move downward to the line of cars parked against the billboard. The arrows pointing down at these cars elaborate on the initial statement, making it clear that the comparison is as literal as it is humorous. The ad uses the cars as a direct and hilarious contrast to the number of countries from which Noodles & Company sources its recipes, implying that their menu is exceptionally diverse.
The cleverness lies in comparing Noodles & Company’s international menu to the mixture of cars in the parking lot. Typically, cars in a lot come from a handful of countries (Japan, Germany, the USA), but the ad suggests that the restaurant's culinary sources are even more multitudinous. This exaggerated comparison is cheeky and unexpected, making the reader chuckle.
The board's visual layout uses mouth-watering images of various dishes at the top, immediately linking the "imported" concept to delicious, worldly food. This primes viewers' appetites while simultaneously delivering the joke. The delicious-looking food effectively contrasts with the everyday cars, reinforcing the message in an appetizing way.
The tagline, “Your World Kitchen,” ties the humorous claim back to the brand’s core identity. It reinforces the idea that Noodles & Company offers a global culinary experience, sticking the punny point home in a memorable way. This effectively positions the brand as a go-to spot for diverse, international flavors.
In summary, this ad is funny because it uses a clever and surprising comparison to highlight the diversity of Noodles & Company’s menu. The humorous visual punchline, relatable setup, and engaging layout combine to make a memorable message that reinforces the brand’s world-spanning culinary appeal. It’s a deliciously witty way of saying they've got more international flavor than the car lot you'll drive to get there.