1344: "The SnackWrap Guy of Hendersonville"

HistoryPodcastNews
Written By JC

Interesting Things with JC #1344: "The SnackWrap Guy of Hendersonville" – One man, one missing menu item, and a TikTok campaign that turned craving into comeback. What started in a drive-thru became something no one expected.

Curriculum - Episode Anchor

Episode Title
The SnackWrap Guy of Hendersonville

Episode Number
#1344

Host: JC

Audience: Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners

Subject Area: Media Literacy, Digital Citizenship, Cultural Studies, American Business History

Lesson Overview

Learning Objectives:
Students will:

  • Define the cultural and commercial significance of the McDonald’s SnackWrap through its timeline of launch, discontinuation, and revival.

  • Compare grassroots digital activism with corporate marketing strategies in the digital age.

  • Analyze the role of user-generated content in influencing public perception and corporate decisions.

  • Explain how individual actions can spark large-scale engagement through media platforms.

Key Vocabulary

  • SnackWrap (/snak-rap/) — A McDonald's menu item consisting of a tortilla, chicken strip, lettuce, cheese, and sauce. "The SnackWrap was removed due to kitchen inefficiencies, not a lack of popularity."

  • Franchise (/fran-chahyz/) — A business operating under a licensed brand; in the episode, McDonald's franchisees influenced product offerings due to operational constraints.

  • Grassroots Campaign (/gras-roots kam-peyn/) — A movement driven by the general population. Donoven Rice’s campaign for the SnackWrap's return exemplifies grassroots digital activism.

  • Viral Content (/vahy-ruhl kon-tent/) — Media that rapidly spreads online. Donoven’s videos gained millions of likes through authentic humor and repetition.

  • Digital Citizenship (/dij-i-tl sit-i-zen-ship/) — Responsible and effective use of digital platforms. Donoven used his platform for charitable fundraising and community involvement.

Narrative Core

  • Open – A sensory-rich description of the original SnackWrap introduces a nostalgic cultural icon, inviting listeners to recall a familiar taste and moment in time.

  • Info – JC outlines the product’s market-driven origins in 2006, driven by consumer demand for smaller, portable meals amid fast food competition.

  • Details – The twist comes in 2016: the SnackWrap was discontinued not due to lack of popularity but logistical issues. This sets the stage for Donoven Rice’s TikTok campaign, complete with viral theatrics and an engaging anonymous drive-thru voice.

  • Reflection – The unexpected community and media power that emerged from one man's consistent efforts highlight themes of connection, persistence, and modern storytelling.

  • Closing – “These are interesting things, with JC.”

Transcript

For a while, it was everywhere.
A soft flour tortilla wrapped around a crispy chicken strip, cool shredded lettuce, sharp cheddar-jack cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or honey mustard.
No bun. No box. No fuss.
Just a handheld bite that fit neatly between lunch and dinner.

McDonald’s called it the SnackWrap.

It launched in 2006, right when fast food was beginning to shift.
Customers were asking for smaller portions, portable options, and something that didn’t weigh them down.
Subway was cutting into the market, and McDonald’s needed something different.

The SnackWrap answered that need.

It was affordable—under two dollars when it launched.
You could get it grilled or crispy. Ranch or honey mustard.
It wasn’t a full meal, but it hit the spot.

For almost a decade, it quietly earned a loyal following.
College students, busy parents, late-night regulars.
It didn’t make headlines, but it made sense.

Then in 2016, McDonald’s pulled it from U.S. menus.
Not because it failed, but because it slowed down the kitchen.
Franchise owners didn’t like the prep time. It didn’t pair easily with breakfast service.
So it was gone. Quietly. No announcement. Just gone.

Most people moved on.
But one man in Tennessee decided that wasn’t good enough.

His name is Donoven Rice.

He wasn’t in marketing. He didn’t work for McDonald’s.
He was just a guy with a phone, a loud voice, and a craving that wouldn’t let go.

In 2023, Donoven began posting videos on TikTok.
Not to become famous. He just wanted the SnackWrap back.

Wearing his red cap, full of energy, he recorded fake drive-thru orders, counted down to imaginary return dates, and shouted out rally cries with the kind of delivery that made you smile even if you didn’t care about chicken wraps.

People noticed.

His account, @donovenrice53, started to grow fast.
As of this episode, he has more than 67,600 followers and over 3.1 million likes.
And he earned them one post at a time.

But it wasn’t just the SnackWrap that brought people back.
It was the voice on the other end of the speaker.

In video after video, Donoven pulled into the same McDonald’s drive-thru.
And on the other end of the mic was a woman. Never seen. Never named.
But her delivery was just as good as his.

At first, it was standard:
“We don’t have the SnackWrap.”

But the more they talked, the more it turned into something else.
She’d meet his theatrics with dry humor.
Quick replies, subtle sarcasm, and just enough edge to make it sound like something more.

It was unscripted, but somehow perfectly timed.

People tuned in not just for the SnackWrap updates, but to hear what she’d say next.
Some thought it was a slow-burn friendship. Others thought it sounded like a love story playing out one order at a time.

By mid-2024, McDonald’s began teasing something.
And on July 10, 2025, they made it official.

The SnackWrap was back. Ranch and Spicy Chili Lime.

That same day, the mayor of Hendersonville, Jamie Clary, issued a proclamation:
SnackWrap Guy Day. A real honor for a real person who never let go of a simple idea.

But Donoven didn’t stop there.

He used the attention to do something that mattered.
He began raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He donated to local food banks.
He helped organize school supply drives and supported youth mentorship programs across his community.

Every time his follower count grew, he turned the moment into a chance to give.

And while Donoven doesn’t sell merchandise himself, McDonald’s did release an official SnackWrap-themed apparel line at GoldenArchesUnlimited.com.
The shirts and hoodies aren’t tied to Donoven personally, but proceeds from those sales go to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which helps families stay close to their children during hospital care.

If you want to support Donoven’s mission, follow him on TikTok at @donovenrice53.
You’ll find donation links, livestreams, and the same energy that made this comeback happen.

And if you want to wear your SnackWrap pride while doing some good, take a look at the gear on GoldenArchesUnlimited.com.
Every purchase helps Ronald McDonald House Charities continue its work.

As for the drive-thru voice, her name still isn’t known.
She stayed behind the speaker.
But in every video, she met Donoven with patience, humor, and timing that fans started to love.

What started as a daily bit became something familiar.
Predictable in the best way.
Comforting like the menu item they were joking about.

Was it a friendship? A chance connection?
Maybe even something more?

Nobody really knows.
But the SnackWrap came back.
And that relationship, whatever it was, lives on in those clips.

It may have started with a craving.
But it turned into something more.

And that… might be an interesting thing, for another time.

These are, interesting things, with JC.

Student Worksheet

  1. Why did McDonald’s originally create the SnackWrap, and what consumer need did it fulfill?

  2. What specific reasons led to the discontinuation of the SnackWrap in 2016?

  3. How did Donoven Rice use humor and repetition in his TikTok videos to build a following?

  4. In what ways did Donoven’s actions evolve beyond the SnackWrap campaign?

  5. Reflect on the anonymous drive-thru worker’s role. Why did her presence matter to viewers?

Teacher Guide

Estimated Time
1 class period (45–60 minutes)

Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy
Introduce key terms with real-world examples and connect them to episode themes. Use quick-write journaling prompts to pre-activate understanding (e.g., "What is the power of a viral post?").

Anticipated Misconceptions

  • Students may equate “viral” success with commercial marketing rather than community engagement.

  • Some may think Donoven was employed by McDonald’s.

  • Misunderstanding of what franchise ownership means in corporate decision-making.

Discussion Prompts

  • How do ordinary people become agents of change through social media?

  • What role does consistency play in building an audience?

  • Could this kind of campaign work in other industries?

Differentiation Strategies

  • ESL: Provide translated versions of key vocabulary with visual aids.

  • IEP: Allow extended response time; use sentence starters.

  • Gifted: Create and analyze a mock social media campaign advocating for a discontinued or new product.

Extension Activities

  • Interview a local business owner about how social media affects their product decisions.

  • Compare this campaign to other consumer-driven revivals (e.g., Wendy’s Spicy Nuggets).

  • Analyze TikTok trends that influenced corporate decisions using media analysis tools.

Cross-Curricular Connections

  • Marketing & Business: Product positioning, customer feedback loops

  • Sociology: Community formation in digital spaces

  • Civics: Influence of non-political digital activism

Quiz

  1. Why was the SnackWrap originally introduced by McDonald’s?
    A. To replace fries on the menu
    B. To create a breakfast item
    C. To offer a smaller, portable meal option
    D. To reduce ingredient costs
    Answer: C

  2. Why was the SnackWrap removed from U.S. menus in 2016?
    A. It was not profitable
    B. It was unpopular
    C. It slowed down kitchen operations
    D. It contained banned ingredients
    Answer: C

  3. How did Donoven Rice become known to the public?
    A. He worked at McDonald’s
    B. He started a fast-food blog
    C. He posted creative TikTok videos
    D. He ran for mayor
    Answer: C

  4. What did Donoven do with his social media attention?
    A. Sold merchandise
    B. Promoted his business
    C. Supported charitable causes
    D. Released his own menu item
    Answer: C

  5. What was the name of the woman in Donoven’s videos?
    A. It was revealed in the final clip
    B. Her identity was never shared
    C. She was a known influencer
    D. Her name was used in the apparel line
    Answer: B

Assessment

  1. In what ways does Donoven Rice’s story illustrate the power of persistence in a digital age?

  2. Describe how McDonald’s responded to Donoven’s viral campaign. What does this suggest about the role of consumer feedback in business today?

3–2–1 Rubric:

  • 3 – Accurate, complete, thoughtful

  • 2 – Partial or missing detail

  • 1 – Inaccurate or vague

Standards Alignment

Common Core – English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY):

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2 – Determine a central idea and analyze its development over the course of a text.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 – Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

C3 Framework – Social Studies:

  • D2.Civ.14.9-12 – Analyze historical and contemporary means of changing societies and promoting the common good.

  • D2.Eco.6.9-12 – Evaluate the role of innovation in the market and how it responds to consumer demand.

ISTE Standards for Students:

  • 1.6 Creative Communicator – Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively using platforms and tools.

  • 1.2 Digital Citizen – Students recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living in a digital world.

UK National Curriculum – Key Stage 4 Citizenship (Comparative):

  • GCSE Citizenship Studies (AQA, OCR, Edexcel) – Understand how citizens can bring about change in democratic societies.

IB MYP – Individuals and Societies:

  • MYP Individuals and Societies Criterion B: Investigating – Formulating and following a plan to explore issues.

  • Criterion D: Thinking Critically – Identifying and evaluating different perspectives.

Show Notes

In this episode, JC explores the improbable yet heartfelt story of the McDonald’s SnackWrap, a menu item discontinued not due to failure but to logistical concerns. The focus then shifts to Donoven Rice, a Tennessee resident who launched a humorous and persistent TikTok campaign to bring the SnackWrap back. Through his creative content and a mysterious drive-thru voice, Donoven built a viral movement that not only revived a product but also raised funds for community and health-related causes. This episode is a real-time lesson in media influence, digital activism, and the unexpected ways internet culture shapes corporate decisions. It invites educators and learners to examine how everyday individuals can create real impact through storytelling, consistency, and digital savvy.

References

JC https://jimconnors.org
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