The rise in minimum wage is set to have a big impact on McDonald’s and Chipotle fans.
Yep, it looks like our fast-food fixes are going to be more priceyin the future …
And this isn’t the first time McDonald’s has found itself the talk of the internet.
News broke recently about the fast food brand introducing Adult Happy Meals.
Fans were delighted for the most part.
According to reports, McDonald’s joined forces with fashion brand Cactus Plant Flea Market.
The fashion brand came up with some special new packaging for its limited-edition box meals
There were 4 totally unique collectible boxes.
They are titled: ‘Grimace’, ‘Birdie’, ‘Cactus Buddy’, and ‘the Hamburglar’.
Customers who order through the app will also automatically be entered for a chance to score exclusive merch.
Simply choose the Cactus Plant Flea Market Box in the app and be in with a chance to win every week – it’s free!
McDonald’s also released a statement regarding the Happy Meals for adults.
The press release reads: “Everyone remembers their first Happy Meal as a kid… and the can’t-sit-still feeling as you dug in to see what was inside.”
It continues: “That little red box could turn a regular Tuesday into the best. day. ever.”
“And now, we’re reimagining that experience in a whole new way – this time, for adults.”
And that’s not all…
McDonald’s USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Tariq Hassan, added that the collaboration aims to “reignite a new generation’s love for our food”.
Hassan also said they are taking one of the most nostalgic McDonald’s experiences.
And literally repackaging it in a new way that’s hyper-relevant for adult fans.
He said:
“With menu favorites like the Big Mac and McNuggets at the center of this collab, this is another way we’re reigniting a new generation’s love for our food and the brand.”
“I can’t wait to give fans a unique piece of art and culture as we dive headfirst into the dynamic world of Cactus Plant Flea Market together next week,” he added.
After the news was announced, many McDonald’s fans took to social media and said they can’t wait to try it…
One person tweeted: “I’ll be there for sure,” while another added: “Finally an excuse to order a McDonald’s.”
One fan said: “I’ll take 5 please, thanks.”
The Adult Happy Meal became available to order from October 3 2022 through the restaurant, drive-thru, or through the McDonald’s app.
Customers had to choose between a Big Mac or 10 chicken nuggets in their box.
But over in the UK, fans reacted much differently…
One person described the move as “absolutely devastating.”
The Adult Happy Meals were nowhere to be seen on the UK menu.
Manchester Evening News reached out to the brand, and a spokesperson responded that there were “no plans to roll this out in the UK.”
Fans have responded in outrage, with one writing: “No happiness for the UK!“
Another wrote: “I imagine there must be a distinct lack of happy adults in the UK.”
One person even said: “I won’t sleep at night knowing I won’t get an Adult Happy Meal.”
However, on the brand’s website, they dictate the differences between their international stores. It says: “Each of the 122 countries we operate in all have different needs, cultures and expectations. This means that portion sizes may vary between countries, as will menu items, interior restaurant designs and packaging.”
On top of this, McDonald’s employees spoke out.
And they were begging customers not to order the adult Happy Meal.
“Bro please don’t order those adult McDonald’s Happy Meals bro I beg you,” one staffer wrote on TikTok.
The reason? They’re just too popular!
“We literally just came off the ‘buy one, get one for a buck’ and were inundated with Big Mac meals. Now we have to literally hoard them to survive an onslaught. I hate it,” another employee echoed.
“The most difficult aspect of this campaign for the crew is the sheer volume of these meals that we are selling.
“Most of the stores I saw either the specialty boxes, the Big Mac buns, or the toys were sold out. In some places, it’s more than one of these,” said a third.
Following this huge success, some McDonald’s customers took full advantage of the limited edition status…
As they were selling the most popular Happy Meal toys on eBay for as much as $300,000.
McDonald’s has also hit headlines for a far more important reason.
Fans in Lynwood, California in 2018, noticed the store had flipped its iconic golden arches.
The store declared a loud and proud W, instead!
“For the first time in our brand history, we flipped our iconic arches for International Women’s Day in honor of the extraordinary accomplishments of women everywhere and especially in our restaurants.” McDonald’s Chief Diversity Officer Wendy Lewis said, as per The Sun.
“From restaurant crew and management to our C-suite of senior leadership, women play invaluable roles at all levels and together with our independent franchise owners we’re committed to their success.”
Take a look at the trippy image right here!
Earlier this year, news broke that things aren’t going so well for McDonald’s.
As the Wall Street Journal reported the chain temporarily closed its US offices.
This was in preparation for informing corporate employees about its layoffs as part of a broader company restructuring.
“During the week of April 3, we will communicate key decisions related to roles and staffing levels across the organization,” their statement read.
And the company has followed this with a major announcement.
Several menu items are getting a makeover.
Including softer buns, onions added to the patties, and more sauce!
“I’ll always remember my first burger from McDonald’s. And now my culinary team and I have the best job in the world: thinking about ways to bring even more of that iconic McDonald’s taste to fans,” said Chad Schafer, McDonald’s USA’s senior director of culinary innovation, in a statement.
“We found that small changes, like tweaking our process to get hotter, meltier cheese and adjusting our grill settings for a better sear, added up to a big difference in making our burgers more flavorful than ever.”
And now, there’s been some sad news for McDonald’s fans.
As they’re planning on raising prices in accordance with the rise in minimum wage in California.
Chipotle are also following suit.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski announced these “strategic menu price increases,” as per the New York Post.