The recent incident of recalled McDonald's Shrek glasses has devastated many McDonald's fans. Due to cadmium in the paint of these Shrek-plastered glasses, 12 million of these collectibles have been returned to McDonald's.
However, despite this minor hiccup, we can't deny that McDonald's has generated many successful campaigns and inspired many other marketing ideas throughout its existence. Check out the different McDonald's innovations featured here.
Implications - Fast food has become so prevalent in the daily lives of modern society's citizens. No longer just a place to grab a quick meal, these restaurants have become synonymous with pop culture. Companies looking to generate more interest in their products could collaborate with these fast food giants for greater exposure.
34 McDonald's Innovations
34
Sleek Fast Food Redesigns
McDonald's Drive-In Restaurant in Maribor, Slovenia Gets Makeover
33
Create Your Own McDonald's Sign
Protest Become Viral
32
Racist McDonalds Ad?
Look Closer : Individuals
31
McDonalds India Uses Baby Ronald
Scaring Customers Away?
30
Optical Illusion Promotions
McDonald's Coffee Heats Up the Advertising World
29
Fake-Out Food Videos
McDonald's Versus Ad Rendered in CGI
28
McDonalds Uses Subliminal Advertising (or do they?)
27
Fashionable Fast Food
McDonald's UK Makeover
26
McDonalds Launching World Cup Burger
25
Crowdsourced McAdvertising
The McDonalds Honor Angus Campaign is Created by Customers
24
McDiplomas
McDonalds Vocational Diploma
23
Smokvertising
The Mcdonald's Angus Burger Goes Up in Smoke Billboard
22
McDonalds by Mobile
Japan's RFID Contactless Coupon Program
21
Movie Icon Food Ads
The McDonalds 'Come As You Are' Campaign Has Some Familiar Faces
20
Burger Boxes as Coffins
Twisted Takes on Pop Culture Icons by Glennz
19
Fast Food Packaging Makeovers
McDonald's Revamps Their Image
18
Urban Art Exhibits
McDonald's Stained Glass & More
17
McBakeries
McDonalds Launches McBakery Line
16
Freeconomics & Food
McDonalds Gives Out Free McSkillet Burritos
15
Fast Food Car Chargers
McDonald's to Offer Charging Station for Electric Vehicles
14
Anti-Romantic Dinner Tips
AskMen.com Compiles List of Date Night Dinners to Avoid
13
Fast Food Training Games
Nintendo and McDonald's Team Up for Employee Training
12
Desperate for Market Share
McDonald's Uses Feng Shui
11
McHealthy
McDonalds Launches Healthy "Happy Meal"
10
Super Sizing Japan
McDonald's Mega Series
9
Green and Greasy Filipino Police
Cruisers To Run on McDonalds Grease
8
Fast Food Paparazzi Ads
The McDonald's Billboard Game Has You Hunting for Food with Cell Phone
7
Gory Fast Food Campaigns
Thai Food Express Smokes Ronald McDonald
6
Credit Crunch Coffee Couture
New York Fashion Week Serves McD's Coffee, Parties are BYOB
5
Seasonals Adverfriesing
McDonald's Deep Fried Christmas Tree
4
Multicultural McBurger Campaigns
Mcdonald's Swiss Weeks Introduces Three New Burgers
3
Big Mac Marketing Blow Up
McDonald's Robber is a Jingle Contest Finalist
2
Chubby Halloween Clowns
The Ron English McSupersized Popaganda Halloween Figurine
1
Fast Food Fusion
McDonald's Replaces Buns With Tortillas for the Mac Snack Wrap
Related Ideas
Meal-Accompanied Adorable Toys
McDonald's Japan Unveils New Functional Sanrio Happy Meal Toys
Super-Spicy Nugget Sauces
The Three Fiery McDonald's x Hot Ones Sauces Challenge Taste Buds
Friendly Rival Burgers
Burger King and KFC Created the Limited-Edition BFF Burger Together
Remixed QSR Meal Menus
The McDonald's Remix Menu Offers New Takes on Classic Items
Cleverly-Disguised Fountain Cups
Pepsi's Latest Campaign Stunt Introduced 'Undercover Cups'
Collaborative Donut-Inspired Sneaker Designs
The Tim Hortons x adidas Sneakers are Ultra-Playful
Food Waste Sneakers
Hellmann's Canada Launched 1352: Refreshed Sneakers with Food Waste Items
Sustainable Frozen Desserts
McDonald's is Redesigning its McFlurry Packaging, Launching New Size
Multisensory French Fry Pop-Ups
The McCain Happy Frydays Café Shares an Over-the-Top Menu
Beastly QSR Burger Menus
McDonald's Japan Godzilla Burgers Come in Three Varieties
Restaurant Fighting Game Collaborations
McDonald's and Warner Bros are Releasing Multiversus Toys
Characterized Filmic Drinkware
Starbucks Debuts Wicked-Inspired Drinkware
Decade-Celebrating QSR Meals
McDonald’s Canada's Throwback Meal Celebrates the 80s, 90s, and 00s
Expansive QSR Toy Ranges
McDonald's Japan Hello Kitty Happy Meals Mark the Character's Birthday
Back-To-School Disney-Inspired Fashion Lines
The Forever 21 x Disney Capsule is Highly Anticipated
Escapism-Inspired Candy Campaigns
Skittles Works with Creed Bratton on the 'MFFLP the Rainbow'
Olympics-Inspired QSR Menus
The Mcdonald's France Global Menu Celebrates Paris 2024
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
Video Game Meal Toys
The McDonald's Japan Mario Kart Happy Meal Toys Come in Two Sets
Celebratory QSR Burgers
McDonald's UK has Unveiled Two New Burgers for its 50th Birthday
Fast Food-Inspired Nail Kits
The Nails Inc x McDonald’s Collab Plays with Famous Menu Items
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
Blended Sweet Creamsicle Shakes
McDonald’s Canada's New Orange Cream Pop Shake Has Arrived
Tangy Holiday Meals
The Grinch Meal Includes McDonald's Canada's New Dill Pickle McShaker Fries
Fried Dessert-Flavored Fries
McDonald's Launched Churro and Masala McShaker Fries
Fast Food Chanting Challenges
McDonald's is Reviving the Big Mac Chant for Younger Generations
Ketchup Dispenser Billboards
'Smack for Heinz' Helps Fans Complete Meals with a Favorite Condiment
Wintry Cartoon Cups
McDonald's Reintroduced Two McCafé Specialty Drinks and Grinch-Themed Cups
Shakeable Masala Curry Fries
McDonald’s Canada Adds Churros McShaker Fries & Masala McShaker Fries
QSR-Designed Holiday Lines
Chick-fil-A Debuts Two Festive Drinks and Merchandise for the Holidays
Receipt-Inspired Graphic T-Shirts
McDonald's Turns Paper Receipts into the Made to Order Tee
Mental-Health Awareness QSR Packaging
McDonald's Alters Its Happy Meal Boxes for Mental Health
Nostalgia-Inspired Fast Food Concepts
McDonald’s CosMc’s Concept Officially Opens in Texas
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Anime-Inspired QSR Deals
McDonald's is Debuting a New Collaboration with Hello Kitty and Yu-Gi-Oh!
AI-Fuelled QSR Animated Commercials
McDonald's Japan Rolls Out an AI Ad to Spotlight its Fries
Employee Fragrance Campaigns
Lidl's Fragrance Campaign Features Local Talent with Celebrity Names
AI-Generated Soup Can Art
The Campbell’s 'pAIntings' Initiative is Inspired by Artistic Greats
Anime-Inspired Restaurant Campaigns
McDonald’s Unveils an Anime & Manga Series Called 'WcDonald’s'
Gamer-Centric Fast Food Campaigns
Burger King's Gaming Campaign to Rewards “Burger-to-King” Goals
QSR Brand Holiday Ornaments
The 2024 Shake Shack Holiday Merch Collection Just Dropped
Sauce-Inspired QSR Capsules
Wendy's x Lonely Ghost Unveil a Limited Edition Merchandise Collection
Fiery Sichuan Chicken Offerings
McDonald's Singapore Introduced its Mala Chicken Items
Shoe Brand QSR Collaborations
McDonald's and Crocs Join Forces on Crocs Clips Toys
Anime Restaurant Meals
McDonald's is Inviting Manga Fans into the Real World of WcDonald's
Fast Food Mahjong Sets
McDonald's and Hello Kitty Collaborate with a Crystal Mahjong Set
QSR-Inspired Interactive Metaverses
McDonald's Singapore Launched the My Happy Place Metaverse
Shareable QSR Meal Toys
McDonald's Happy Meal Now Offers Two Toys to Gift this Holiday Season
Grayscale Burger Restaurants
Burger King France Made a Visually Striking Anti-Bullying Initiative
Data-Driven QSR Campaigns
Burger King's BK Unwrapped Reveals Customers' 2024 Ordering Preferences
Logo-Shaped French Fries
The French Fry Shaped like the Nike Swoosh is Shoppable on eBay
Ice Cream Stick-Inspired Campaigns
KFC Brazil Gets Creative with Its 'Prize on a Bone' Campaign
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Senior-Inspired QSR Treats
McDonald's Grandma McFlurry Has Ice Cream, Candy and More
Festive Advent Campaigns
Cadbury's 24 Out-of-Home Ads Represent the Countdown to Christmas
Soda Logo Rebranding Campaigns
Pepsi's New Logo Goes Across the Globe with a Bright Light Show
Collectible Kidult Meals
The McDonald's Kerwin Frost Box Reintroduces McNugget Buddies
Pineapple-Infused QSR Desserts
McDonald's Singapore Features 'Pineapples Aplenty' Sweet Offerings
Gen Z-Influenced Marketing Campaigns
Kraft Heinz is Studying Gen Z's Preferences with New Launches
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Transforming Bullet Train Toys
In Japan, McDonald’s Happy Meals Now Come with Shinkalion Toys
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Industrial Design Exhibits
Design Burger Hosted a 'Design Dialogues Exhibit' in London
Recycled Plastic Bottle Campaigns
Coca-Cola Promotes the Toss In, Take Out Initiative
Crinkle-Cut Fry-Themed Body Pillows
Shake Shack and Bearaby Lauunch the Crinkle Cut Cuddler
AI-Generated QSR Items
McDonald's India Asks Fans to Create its Signature Collection with AI
Anime-Themed Adorable Meal Sets
McDonald's Brings Hello Kitty x Yu-Gi-Oh! to the US
Retro QSR Menus
The Taco Bell Decades Menu Revisits Favorites from Past Decades
QSR Summer Pop-Ups
McDonald's Mexico Launched a Summer-Themed Activation in Mexico
QSR Game-Inspired Fitness Partnerships
WithU and McDonald's MONOPOLY Make Strides in the UK
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Nostalgic Snack Ranges
Munchies Returns to Canada After a 20-Year Hiatus
Collaborative Plant-Based Nuggets
McDonald's France McPlant Nuggets Were Created with Beyond Meat
Fan-Made Burger Signatures
The Big Mac Signature Was Created by Fans, AI and a Robot Arm
Burger-Inspired Mystery Mockumentaries
McDonald's Finland Presents The Icon Mockumentary
Inventive Retail Strategies
H&M is Working to Localize Its Shopping Experience
Festive Cafe Limited Merchandise
A New Range of Dunkin' Merchandise Prepares for Halloween
Animated Movie Apparel
Boxlunch Celebrates Dreamworks Animation Films with an Exclusive Collection
Squishy QSR Toy Collaborations
McDonald's Squishmallows Happy Meal Arrives on December 26
Sitcom-Inspired Meal Sets
McDonald's Friends Box Honors the Iconic Sitcom Show
Spooky Slider Packaging
White Castle Unleashed Limited-Edition Halloween Retail Packaging
Cartoon-Inspired Pizza Merchandise
Disney Launches the New Pizza-Themed Disney Eats Collection
Cheerful Healthy Snack Campaigns
Garden Veggie Snacks' YUMbelievably Delicious is Innovative
Movie-Themed Fast-Food Campaigns
White Castle Commemorates 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle'
QSR Eyewear Capsules
KFC x Shady Rays Launched a Unique Three-Piece Collection
Donut Inspired Ad Campaigns
Dunkin' Donuts New Ad Campaign is Called Dunkin'Terns
Collectible Cup QSR Meals
The McDonald's Collector's Meal Comes with One of Six Nostalgic Cups
Chicken-Centered Campaigns
KFC Released a Campaign Called 'Believe in Chicken'
QSR Mango Desserts
McDonald's India Launches the Mango Madness Event
Film-Themed AR Designs
White Castle Celebrates the 'Borderlands' Film with Unique Packaging
Juicy Retro-Inspired Burgers
McDonald's France Features the 1955 Burger for a Limited Time
Spooky-Fun Fast Food Meals
HalloWEENDY's Kicked Off with New Frosty Frights Kids' Meals & Toys
Tempura-Battered Chicken Sandwiches
McDonald's Chicken Big Mac Updates a Classic Menu Item
Fried QSR Pineapple Fritters
McDonald's Australia Pineapple Fritters are Sweet and Crispy
Anime-Collaborative QSR Menus
McDonald's Japan Joins Kiki's Delivery Service on New Burgers
QSR X-Ray Campaigns
KFC Spain Presents a Chicken X-Ray Campaign to Combat a Stigma
Game Experience Combo Meals
McDonald's Joins RPG Genshin Impact on a Special Combo Meal
QSR Fiery Sauce Campaigns
McDonald's and Hot Ones Join on McNugget Dips
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Flavorful Animation-Inspired Fusion Burgers
McDonald's Singapore Unveils a New Samurai Menu
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Late-Night Fast Food Restaurants
White Castle is Strengthening Its Night Castle Brand
TV Series-Inspired QSR Meals
McDonald's Australia is Serving Up the New Squid Game Meal
Cross-Cuisine QSR Bento Boxes
The McDonald’s Makunouchi Bento Was Debuted for April Fool's Day
Mystery Color Macaroni Cups
Great Value is Selling Wicked Mystery Color Macaroni & Cheese
Hamburger Patty Snack Wraps
1955 Snack Wraps Have Landed at McDonald's Korea
Complimentary Fries Campaign
McDonald's Free Fries Friday Celebrates French Fry Day
Cartoon-Themed QSR Desserts
McDonald's Indonesia Launched a Despicable Me 4 McFlurry and Pie
Phosphorescent Energy Drink Cans
Dynami:t's Cans Glow with Neon and Superbright Effects
Glowing Chicken Restaurant Designs
Preen Inc Designs the Dino's Famous Chicken Restaurant
Burger-Inspired Back-To-School Campaigns
Trill Burgers & LRG Clothing Debut a Line of Activations
Retail Body Cam Initiatives
Pret a Manger Employees are Testing Out Body Cams for Personal Safety
QSR-Themed Mechandise Capsules
graniph and McDonald's Team Up to Create Another Merchandise Line
QSR-Inspired Grocery Products
Aldi Launches the New McDonald’s Inspired Burgers
Sustainable QSR Dessert Packaging
McDonald's Creates Eco-Friendly McFlurry Packaging
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
QSR Value Meals
McDonald's Excites with $5 National Value Deal
Child-Focused Plant-Based Foods
The Franklin Farms Mickey Mouse & Friends Products are Flavorful
Fast Food Plushie Collaborations
McDonald's Singapore and Hello Kitty Release Eight Plushies
Complimentary Donut QSR Promotions
Krispy Kreme and McDonald's Announced a New Promotion
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Celebratory QSR Dessert Offerings
McDonald's UK Releases Three Dessert Items for 50th Anniversary
Sensorial QSR Fish Items
McDonald's Malaysia Introduced its 'Get Hooked' Menu Items
Comforting Soft-Serve Desserts
McDonald's Grandma McFlurry Inspires Connection & Champions Family
Movie-Inspired Halloween Menus
Burger King Unveils the Haunting Addams Family-Inspired Menu
Innovative Digital Signage
Creative Realities Enhances Fan Engagement & Outcomes with New Signage
First-Taste Burger Boxes
McSpicy x Frank's RedHot Released "the Hottest Drop"
Hawaiian-Inspired QSR Menus
McDonald's Japan Debuts Limited-Edition Hawaiian Items
Purveyor QSR Burgers
McDonald's Singapore Features Three Unique Hawker-Inspired Burger Items
Adult-Focused Meal Combos
McDonald's Australia Debuts the Adult Happy Meal with McNugget Buddies
Biodegradable Fast Food Uniforms
These McDonald's Uniforms Use 'CiClo' Fabric Technology
Rewritten Christmas Song Ads
Burger King UK's Hijacking Christmas Will Guide You to the Drive Thru
Hungover Diner Discounts
Burger King's Facial Recognition Gives Discounts to Hungover Customers
Sustainable Kids Cartoon Capsules
Primark & Disney Unveil a Collection Inspired by The Lion King
QSR-Themed Christmas Ornaments
The Shake Shack Holiday Merch Collection is a First from the Brand
Adorable Cartoon-Themed QSR Meals
McDonald's Hello Kitty Prosperity Meal Celebrates 50th Year
Individual Nugget QSR Campaigns
The McDonald's Chicken McNuggets of Love Promotion is Celebratory
Fast Casual Kids Meals
Freddy’s Just Added Three New Freddy’s Kids Meals
Playful Hamburger Campaigns
McDonald's is Asking the Public to Catch Hamburglar in the Burgercuda
Monster-Detailed Custom Meal Boxes
McDonald's Brings Back the Boo Buckets for Halloween