Chart Rewind: In 2021, Walker Hayes' Commercial Song Was 'Eatin' Good' at No. 1

When Walker Hayes first dropped “Fancy Like,” he was just a dad trying to turn a family road‑trip into a hit. The song sprang from a simple memory: a drive to Wendy’s and a stop at Applebee’s with his daughter. No one imagined that a line about a burger joint would become the most streamed country track of 2021. Look, this one na levelsone lyric, one TikTok dance, and a national ad campaign, and suddenly the song was everywhere.

The moment “Fancy Like” exploded was on TikTok. A clip of Hayes dancing with his daughter went viral, and the video became a meme staple. The platform’s algorithm loves relatable, upbeat content, and this dance fit the bill perfectly. The clip’s reach translated into streams, and the song leapt onto the Hot Country Songs chart on June 26, 2021. Within a month, it hit No. 1 on July 24 and held that spot for 10 straight weeks by September 25. The momentum didn’t stop thereby the end of the year, the track had spent 24 weeks at the top of Hot Country Songs and peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100.

Applebee’s wasn’t just a backdrop; it became a co‑star. The chain’s advertising team saw the song’s potential and launched a national TV campaign that ran over 100 times a day, according to Advertising Age. The spot featured the same family vibe that inspired the track, creating a full‑circle moment. In response, Applebee’s re‑introduced its Oreo cookie shake to the menu and offered Hayes free food for life at any location. The partnership was a win for both brands: the chain gained fresh buzz, and the song’s reach exploded across platforms.

“Fancy Like” was a collaborative effort. Hayes co‑wrote the track with Josh Jenkins, known for Jordan Davis’ “Buy Dirt” and “Tucson Too Late”; Shane Stevens, who penned Lady A’s “American Honey”; and Cameron Bartolini. Production credits include Hayes himself, Shane McAnallya frequent collaborator of Kacey Musgraves and Old Dominionand Joe Thibodeau. The song’s success earned it a seven‑times‑Platinum certification from the RIAA, evidence of its cross‑genre appeal.

What makes “Fancy Like” stand out isn’t just the chart numbers; it’s the way it captured everyday life. The song turned a simple family outing into a national conversation about food, family, and fun. It shows how country music can still be fresh and relevant when it taps into ordinary experiences. And it proves that a catchy dance, a relatable lyric, and a smart partnership can turn a single track into a cultural phenomenon.

The track’s legacy continues. In an August 2025 interview on Taste of Country Nights, Hayes admitted he’s taken a break from Applebee’s, hinting that the partnership, while successful, was a chapter rather than a lifelong contract. Still, the song remains a benchmark for how a modern country hit can bridge social media, advertising, and streaming to dominate the charts.