To mark the 40th anniversary of the Happy Meal, McDonald's is introducing the limited-edition Surprise Happy Meal, which shares Happy Meal toys that have been released over the last four decades. Participating restaurants across more than 90 countries will be offering the Surprise Happy Meal, which gives people the chance to collect more than a dozen toys, as well as two US-exclusive toys.
In the Surprise Happy Meal, there are toys like the Cowboy McNugget from 1988 as well as other McDonald's toys from the 80s and 90s, plus officially licensed toys from Mattel, Disney, Hasbro, Bandai and Warner Brothers. Fans will especially enjoy seeing My Little Pony toys from 1998, Furby from 1999 and Patti the Platypus, a Ty Beanie Baby from 1997, as well as plenty of other nostalgic playthings.
Throwback Fast Food Boxes
McDonald's Surprise Happy Meal Shares Toys from Decades Past
Trend Themes
1. Throwback Toys - The limited-edition Surprise Happy Meal from McDonald's featuring toys from past decades presents an opportunity for businesses to tap into the nostalgia trend and bring back popular vintage toys.
2. Collectible Items - The chance to collect more than a dozen toys, including rare US-exclusive ones, through the Surprise Happy Meal creates opportunities for businesses to create and market collectible items that appeal to consumers.
3. Nostalgic Marketing - The popularity of the Surprise Happy Meal shows that there is a market for nostalgic marketing strategies, giving businesses the opportunity to leverage nostalgia to connect with customers and increase brand loyalty.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food chains can innovate by introducing limited-edition menu items or merchandise that tap into nostalgia, similar to McDonald's Surprise Happy Meal.
2. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can explore the demand for retro toys and collaborate with fast food chains or other companies to create collectible items that cater to nostalgic consumers.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising agencies can assist businesses in leveraging nostalgia as a strategy to engage with customers, create memorable campaigns, and build brand affinity.