McDonald's brings back Pokémon Happy Meals with promo cards and box toys

McDonald's has brought back its Pokémon Happy Meal across all U.S. locations, with the promotion running through December 14. Each meal comes with two promo cards and a miniature plastic Happy Meal box toy with a clip, and the company plans to expand the offer to more countries over the coming months. The return was first announced several weeks before the rollout.

The launch was complicated by an early disclosure. The Pokémon Company accidentally spoiled next year's promo card list before the promotion went live. A reporter who checked the cards by hand confirmed that the leaked list was accurate. The cards are reprints labeled M26, and some feature holofoil finishes. They arrive loose, without packaging, which means collectors receive the cards directly with the meal rather than in a sealed pack.

The Happy Meal is offered in several configurations, including a hamburger, a cheeseburger, and a four- or six-piece Chicken McNuggets combo. Prices vary depending on the meal chosen, but every option shares the same packaging and includes one of the blind-boxed toys. The toy is a miniature version of the Happy Meal box, fitted with a clip, so customers do not know which design they will receive until they open the meal.

Marketing for the promotion varied from store to store. At the reporter's local McDonald's, the campaign was visible mainly through a single poster and sporadic digital advertisements. The contrast with Target's Pokémon launch was notable, since Target filled its stores with Pokémon materials across the sales floor. A staff member told the reporter that some McDonald's locations may receive promotional materials in batches rather than all at once, which could explain the uneven visibility from one restaurant to the next.

Secondary demand has also emerged around the promotion. Posters and stands from earlier promotions have reportedly been sold on eBay, a sign that the physical marketing materials have value beyond the restaurant. Demand at the store itself was also uneven: at the reporter's location, the Umbreon box was the most sought after of the available options.

The Pokémon Happy Meal has a long history at McDonald's. A version of the promotion first ran in 1999, and the modern Pokémon Happy Meal began in 2011. The current run follows that pattern of collectible toys and cards tied to the franchise's latest releases, with the promo cards serving as the main draw for many customers. Whether the spoiled card list changes how collectors approach the promotion remains to be seen as the December 14 end date approaches and the offer expands beyond the United States.

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Delaney Sawyer

Society Reporter

Delaney Sawyer covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Core Memo. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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