Hardee's California Raisins

Figurines Sold with Food Purchases

Forgotten Collectibles · 1987–1988

Published

Associated With

Hardee’s; California Raisins characters developed by Foote, Cone & Belding and animated by Will Vinton Studios - creator or distributor

Defining Feature

Low-cost California Raisins figurines offered with qualifying food purchases

Status

Discontinued - the 1987–1988 figurine promotions ended; the later biscuit revival does not establish a return of the figures

Overview

Hardee's sold California Raisins figurines with qualifying food purchases during 1987 and 1988.

The figures extended advertising characters animated by Will Vinton Studios into fast-food collectibles. The 1987 offer presented four small plastic figures at 99 cents with any dessert purchase, with one available each week.

A July 1988 advertisement offered six new hand-painted “Grapevine Tour ’88” figures at the same price with two Rise ’N Shine biscuits or any dessert. That advert establishes the offer in at least one market rather than proving nationwide availability.

Why It Mattered

The promotion turned characters from a popular advertising campaign into inexpensive objects that customers could collect as a set. Weekly releases connected the television property with repeat restaurant visits.

It also shows how quickly the California Raisins moved from clay animation into food promotion and physical merchandise.

From Advertising to Figurines

  • Foote, Cone & Belding developed the California Raisins advertising concept, with clay animation by Will Vinton Studios.
  • The first California Raisins “Late Show” commercial dates to 1986.
  • A December 1987 report said Will Vinton's company had made a California Raisins commercial for Hardee's.

The 1987 Offer

  • The promotion included four plastic figures about two inches high.
  • Each cost 99 cents with any dessert purchase, with one figure offered each week.
  • The programme was tied to Hardee's Cinnamon ’N’ Raisin biscuit.

Grapevine Tour ’88

  • A 20 July 1988 advertisement offered six new limited-edition, hand-painted figurines.
  • Each figure cost 99 cents with two Rise ’N Shine biscuits or any dessert.
  • The advertisement documents at least one participating market, not nationwide availability.

Primary Records

Gallery

Four California Raisins figurines on a white background: one holds a saxophone-like horn, one raises both hands and wears blue shoes, one wears orange sunglasses and orange shoes, and one holds a microphone with a bow tie.
Source
Credit

Antique Trader

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

The California Raisins’ musical characters became small collectible figures, carrying the advertising act beyond the screen.

Black-and-white Hardee’s newspaper advertisement headed “Enjoy A Taste Of The Grapevine Tour,” with illustrated California Raisins characters, a 99-cent figurine offer, breakfast-food illustration, coupons, and a July 13, 1988 newspaper masthead.
Source
Credit

Hardee's Food Systems / California Raisin Advisory Board advertising artwork; scan by Kent District Library, The Lowell Ledger

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

The Lowell Ledger's 13 July 1988 advertisement offered California Raisins figures for 99 cents, tying the animated characters to a Hardee's meal promotion.

A white banner hung above a garage door reads "The California Raisins Are Here!" in red letters, with a small raisin character illustration at each end.
Source
Credit

Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. / CALRAB, 1987 banner artwork; listing photograph preserved by WorthPoint

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

A California Raisins banner advertised the characters' arrival at Hardee's, showing how the promotion reached the restaurant itself as well as its collectible figures.

A hand holds a sealed clear plastic bag containing a burgundy California Raisins figurine wearing orange sunglasses and orange shoes, a small blue accessory, and a yellow-backed card.
Source
Credit

eBay

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

A sealed promotional figure preserves the way a California Raisin collectible was supplied to its recipient.

A worn blue California Raisins box with a cartoon raisin carrying a yellow surfboard is displayed with a small raisin figurine on a yellow skateboard and a matching collector card labeled "Waves Weaver."
Source
Credit

eBay

Licence

Historical Ephemera

Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.

Caption

The Waves Weaver package extends the California Raisins collection into a surfing theme, with the character and accessories presented together.