A hamburger outlet in Fuerteventura could be in serious trouble over a bizarre marketing campaign that has caused widespread local anger.
The establishment has been placing what appear to be genuine parking tickets on windscreens on several streets in the island capital, Puerto del Rosario, ordering motorists to pay a fine of 100 euros.
Drivers are directed to a QR code visible on the ticket to obtain further information and pay the fine promptly to earn a 50% discount but, when scanned, the code takes them to a message saying “Now that we have caught your attention, treat yourself to a hamburger” in a blatant advertisement for the shop in question.
Confused drivers have contacted the town council with queries on whether the tickets, which provide information on the precise traffic rule breached, are genuine and need to be acted on. The flood of queries has prompted the authorities to issue a public statement and various social media posts advising drivers to ignore the tickets.
It has now emerged that police in Puerto de Rosario have taken up the matter with a view to possible action against the hamburger shop, although it is not clear which grounds might be used for a prosecution. Some drivers say they might take matters into their own hands and report the firm for breaching the ban on placing advertising flyers on windscreens. Others would like to see the business prosecuted for forging a public document, which is a much more serious offence.
The bizarre stunt has catapulted the hamburger outlet to fame in Fuerteventura and beyond, through media reporting this week, but the level of anger from locals at the confusion and distress caused by the ‘tickets’ would indicate that it has backfired badly and caused it considerable reputational damage.
