1979 The Happy Meal did not introduce the practice of providing small toys to children. When the Happy Meal was launched in 1979, the toys were a McDoodle stencil, a McWrist wallet, an ID bracelet, a puzzle lock, a spinning top or a McDonaldland character-shaped eraser.

Considering herself a "hands-on" owner, Cofiño worked in the restaurant regularly. It wasn't too long after acquiring the franchise that she realized the portion sizes were a little too big for children. Looking to market her new restaurant as a place for families, Cofiño came up with the idea of a kid's meal.

McDonald's maintains an extensive advertising campaign. In addition to the usual media such as television, radio and newspaper ads, the company makes significant use of billboards and signage, and sponsors sporting events ranging from Little League to the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games.

During the summer of 1979, McDonald's premiered the Happy Meal nationally. The first boxes were circus wagons. The first toys were tops, stencils, wallets, puzzles and erasers. And initially, meals included a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink and cookies.

McDonald's Hamburger Happy Meal® includes a juicy McDonald's Hamburger with kid-sized World Famous Fries® and Apple Slices. Then pick a kid's drink: 1% Low Fat Milk Jug, Reduced Sugar* Low Fat Chocolate Milk, DASANI® Water, or Honest Kids® Appley Ever After® Organic Juice Drink.

Cactus Plant Flea Market Box The “Cactus Plant Flea Market Box” is a limited-time collaboration with trendy fashion brand Cactus Plant; it's a larger box than the standard Happy Meal (though still with those signature Golden Arch-shaped handles) that holds a choice of either a 10-piece chicken nugget or a Big Mac and an order of medium fries, with ...

Scalability and longevity: The offer has global appeal and is scalable across geographies. Furthermore, many promotions only run for a few weeks, driving feast and famine in the supply chain. The Happy Meal has been running for decades, with resulting benefits in efficiency and consumer recognition.

McDonald's marketing strategy includes investing in online and offline marketing methods that spread its clear, brand-centered messages to a large audience and using other channels like its dedicated mobile app to reach and keep loyal customers.

Understanding their customers in context McDonald's demonstrates that time and time again, they understand how and why their customers choose their brand. It's this intricate understanding of their audience tastes, motivations and behaviours that truly sets them a part.

It's a dietary staple. And a major part of what draws kids to McDonald's - and with them their families - over and over again are the toys. Of course it is. How many people, including kids, even if they like the white-bread bun dwarfing a barely there meat patty, would call the Happy Meal a great meal?

The limited-edition meal box is a “grownup” version of the Happy Meals McDonald's target audience enjoyed as kids, complete with prizes and an illustrated box with the golden arches as handles. Meals include a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries and a drink.

From January 2021, the Happy Meal® will include soft toys, sustainable paper-based toys and books.