Uber's the latest business to try and cash in on this week's #SmashedAvo affair, announcing it's partnering to deliver the divisive vegetable to restaurants nationwide.
Uber said on Friday the effort was part of the company backing millenials' love of the "humble avocado". It also said the controversial ride-sharing service supported young people's right to a "guilt free brunch".
#SmashedAvo doesn't have to mean #SmashedDreams @bernardsalt. Fiscally responsible Smashed Avo now on @UberEATS - https://t.co/1TgIfrxauj
— Uber Australia (@Uber_Australia) October 20, 2016
"So we've teamed up with some of your favourite restaurant partners across the country to bring you your city's best and most affordable #SmashedAvos, without the side order of #SmashedDreams," the company said in a statement.
"Delivery is free for all users -- and if you're new to UberEATS, the #SmashedAvo is on the house."
UberEats Will Bring You Smashed Avo Toasts For Free https://t.co/8H4KLq6wvz
— Jade North (@JadeNorth7) October 21, 2016
The savvy marketing ploy comes after this week's social media driven blow-up sparked by baby boomer commentator Bernald Salt.
The Salt editorial claimed that if young people went easy on overpriced brunches they'd have a better shot at saving for a home. He also expressed disbelief at how much youngsters were forking out for the popular brunch-time meal.
"I have seen young people order smashed avocado with crumbled feta on five-grain toasted bread at $22 a pop and more," Salt wrote in his weekend newspaper column.
"But how can young people afford to eat like this? Twenty-two dollars several times a week could go towards a deposit on a house."
The diatribe, somewhat predictably, prompted a torrent of backlash on the socials from millenials who didn't appreciate Salt's take on the issue.
Baby boomers, don't mess with our smashed avo. @_chriskohler weighs in on the housing debate dividing Australia | @theprojecttv @BernardSalt pic.twitter.com/KDyXsMQq9L
— The Australian (@australian) October 18, 2016
So intense has the fall-out been that Melbourne restaurants have even discounted smashed avo in a tongue-in-cheek effort to make it easier to buy a house.
Companies were also quick to leverage the so-called spat. Before Uber, home lender ME bank launched a marketing campaign for its home loans with the tagline "Have your smashed avo and eat it too".