McDonald's Japan scraps Happy Meals with Pokemon cards after grownups get greedy
The Disruption of McDonald's Japan Happy Meals CampaignIn Japan, McDonald's iconic Happy Meals have long been a beloved part of the menu, combining classic food with appealing Pokémon characters. However, the growth of this campaign led to significant issues when grown-ups grabbed meals with Pokemon cards, prompting concerns about how the restaurant would handle the leftover food.
As the campaign intensified, grown-ups sought these meals for gifts, leading to frustration among staff who weren't prepared for the potential mess. The restaurant, unaware of the menu leftovers, kept some meals on hand but immediately discarded all that were undelivered. This caused a noticeable decrease in Happy Meals sales and made customers feel betrayed.
The problem was compounded by the growing popularity of Pokémon cards in Japan, which made the meals appealing to a broader audience. As a result, the restaurant faced criticism for contributing to food waste and poor customer satisfaction.
After the cleanup at McDonald's, the Happy Meals campaign experienced a decline in sales and fewer promotional opportunities. This incident has left the restaurant with adjustments in its menu strategy and highlights the importance of considering alternative promotions when introducing new products.
This issue not only affected Japan but also influenced strategies for similar promotions globally, emphasizing the need for careful planning to avoid missteps that could lead to further challenges.
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