McDonalds to Release Adult Happy Meals, and Yes – You’re Getting a Toy
Times are dark and situations are dire for many around the world. But McDonalds is seeking to inject some joy
Ivy Griffith
Times are dark and situations are dire for many around the world.
But McDonalds is seeking to inject some joy in the lives of grown-ups everywhere as they grapple with the disappointment that is "#adulting."
Enter: the adult Happy Meal. And yes, it will come with a toy.
McDonalds Happy Meals for Grown-Ups Come with a Toy
McDonalds announced this week that they are collaborating with fashion streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market to release an adult meal box.
The fast food giant hinted at the announcement earlier this month, with a tear-jerking Facebook post that read, "One day you ordered a Happy Meal for the last time and you didn't even know it." We're not crying, you're crying.
But now you don't have to weep for the lost excesses of youth (before calories and financial woes became center focus), you can enjoy a return to the best parts of a childhood meal at McDonalds.
Starting Monday and running through October 31, McDonalds will offer the Cactus Plant Flea Market Meal Box, which comes with a meal and a classic character like Grimace, the Hamburglar or Birdie and newcomer Cactus Buddy.
Tariq Hassan, McDonald's USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, said in a statement this week, "We're taking one of the most nostalgic McDonald's experiences and literally repackaging it in a new way that's hyper-relevant for our adult fans."
Customers can also enter to win Cactus Plant Flea Market merch in a sweepstakes through the store's app.
Everyone Remembers McDonalds Fondly, But is it Any Good?
Everyone reading this can probably anticipate what the box experience will be like – a lot of nostalgia, but with something missing.
That's because those of us in our mid to late thirties and older remember a much different McDonalds fry from our childhoods.
Prior to 1992, McDonalds fries were cooked in an oil that was not vegetarian-friendly despite the company's claims, so to comply with transparency rules around food ingredients, they had to change the oil. And the fries have never been the same since.
Sure, a hot McDonalds fry with just the right amount of salt can still scratch that nostalgic itch, but it's not quite the same as the taste from our memories.
Maybe, McDonalds, while we're bringing Happy Meals back to the lives of adults everywhere – it's time to consider at least a limited run of the OG fries?
Feel free to have marketing credit us for the idea when stores sell out in hours. CELEB Flashback Fries has a nice ring to it.