Back-to-school season has parents on edge. Chomps saw an opportunity, setting up a retro car wash pop-up in Austin. They cleaned 120 cars and gave out snacks and merch to over 1,000 people.

It was fun, useful, and experiential marketing gold.

Three takeaways:

1. Make it useful - Give people something they actually want, something they can use. Not another logo pen.
2. Set the scene - Design your space like it’s part of your brand story.
3. Leave a physical reminder - Distribute merch that reinforces the moment. Organizers, wipes, snack kits, whatever fits the story.
4. Make it shareable - If it’s worth talking about, it’s worth remembering, and worth sharing.

Want to try something like this? Let’s talk.

CHOMPS Austin Pop Up Event

Chomps pulled off one of the coolest brand stunts I’ve seen lately.

They took over a gas station in Austin, Texas and turned it into a back-to-school pit stop for parents. Free car detailing, free snacks, and some slick branded gear: seatback organizers, tote bags, tees, bottles, keychains, etc.

They even hired rickshaws to shuttle folks from nearby parking lots.

Over the weekend, they cleaned 120 cars and connected with more than a thousand people.

The timing was perfect, right in the middle of back-to-school chaos when parents were tired, busy, and running on fumes. Chomps didn’t push product; they offered relief. And that’s what people remember. The next time those same parents see Chomps at Target or Walmart, they’ll think about who cleaned the Cheerios out of their minivan.

That’s brand equity you can’t buy with ads.

This is the cool thing about "experiential" marketing. It’s not about giving stuff away: it’s about creating a moment - an experience - that people actually feel. When you do it right, it turns into a story they’ll continue to tell.

Why It Worked

Chomps didn’t market snacks. They marketed relief.

They met parents at the exact moment of back-to-school chaos… offering a breather, not a pitch. When those same parents later see Chomps on the shelf, they won’t just remember the meat snacks. They’ll remember who cleaned the crushed Cheerios out of their car. That’s brand equity you can’t buy with ad spend.

Try This:

• Offer a “refresh zone” with branded wipes, mints, and phone chargers.
• Run a “car kit” giveaway with your logo and products on seatback organizers.
• Add a simple QR code that links to your site or free resource.

Turn small moments into lasting impressions—and the experience into a sharable memory.

And if you want to talk about your merch, I’m here for you.

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