McDonald's is bringing back a Happy Meal toy blast from the past
The fast food chain has announced it will bring back Changeables, the Transformers-like Happy Meal toy from the 1980s and early 1990s
Courtesy: McDonald's $MCD
Mark down another successful social media lobbying effort by McDonald's $MCD customers.
The fast food chain has announced it will bring back Changeables, the Transformers-like Happy Meal toy from the 1980s and early 1990s, which evolve from McDonald's menu items to robots and dinosaurs with a few twists. That follows an intense lobby on social media to bring them back.
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"Changeables were — by far — the most requested Happy Meal program on X $TWTR, across social media platforms and through customer service," wrote McDonald's Senior Marketing Director Guillaume Huin in a social media post announcing the toys' return.
Two years ago, customers successfully convinced the company to bring back the Snack Wrap, which proved so popular that some locations quickly ran out of their ingredients.
McDonald's first teased the return of Changeables six years ago, when it celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Happy Meal. and brought back two versions of the toy.
With the latest push, 16 new Changeables are being brought to market and will be available starting Wednesday. Here's what you're likely to find in the box with your hamburger or chicken nuggets:
- Boo Bot (pumpkin bucket)
- Pterabagdyl (takeout bag)
- Vash (McNuggets box)
- Min-ee (drive-thru menu)
- Cap Cap (McDonald’s hat)
- D1v4 (hamburger)
- FR-13S (fries)
- Teef Rex (Happy Meal box)
- Drinkobius-999 (drink machine)
- Galla (apple slices)
- Kio (order kiosk)
- Sizzlesaurus (fryolator)
- Torrus (McDonald’s PlayPlace)
McDonald's is an expert in tapping into nostalgia to boost sales. The company recently brought back its Monopoly contest last year after a 10-year break. It also launched an adult Happy Meal, incorporating Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and the Fry Friends (aka the Fry Guys) into its marketing. Still MIA are Officer Big Mac, Captain Crook (basically a Hamburglar for the Filet-O-Fish) and Ronald's Dog Sundae.
And, of course, the revival of Grimace in 2023 boosted sales by 11% and helped the chain go viral on TikTok.