Oscar Mayer's iconic Weinermobile gets a new name

The iconic Weinermobile is no more.

The hot dog on wheels is going by a new name — Frankmobile.

Oscar Mayer announced the name change Wednesday in conjunction with the debut of a hot dog recipe, according to a news release. Known as Weinermobiles since they first hit roads in 1936, the six-vehicle fleet has gotten updated decals and Frankfurters — previously Hotdoggers — are behind the wheels.

The company, owned by Kraft Heinz, which has headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago, hinted at the change in a social media post on Tuesday.

A 13-foot-long hot dog car debuted in Chicago in 1936 as an advertising idea. It was sidelined a few years later because of gas rationing during World War II, according to a history of the then-Weinermobile.

Five new 22-foot-long Weinermobiles hit the streets in 1952, the first to have sound systems and sunroofs. They were retired in 1977, but after a huge response for the Weinermobile’s 50th anniversary in 1986, six new 23-foot-long Weinermobiles were introduced two years later.

The vehicles continued to change and get longer over the decades since, stopping at parking lots and posing for photos.

Now as Frankmobiles, any person named an iteration of Frank can stop by the hot dog on wheels and get a coupon for a free pack of Oscar Mayer beef hot dogs.

Pittsburgh-area Franks will have to wait for their chance. The Frankmobile will be closest to Pittsburgh on July 13 and 14 when it has scheduled stops in Ohio.