Everyone who’s reading this has likely owned at least one McDonald’s collectible. From a water glass with Mayor McCheese to a Moana Happy Meal toy, fans from every era of the fast food chain have a keepsake or two that links them to the McDonald’s brand. This month, McDonald’s is celebrating this enduring fan love by launching the new Collector’s Meal, featuring six unique collectible cups designed to “inspire a new generation of fans.” according to a press release.
Starting August 13 and available for a limited time, the promotion offers a series of combo meals paired with one of the six collectible cups. Each cup showcases imagery of iconic McDonald’s collectibles from throughout its history. Here’s what you can find on them:
- Beanie Babies
- Barbie & Hot Wheels
- Hello Kitty & Peanuts
- Shrek, Jurassic Park & Minions
- Coca-Cola Logo
- McDonald’s Logo
It might seem a bit meta to feature both Coca-Cola and McDonald’s on McDonald’s soft drink cups, but it actually makes sense given the strong brand identities of each. McDonald’s has long boasted a roster of trademarked characters—such as Ronald McDonald, Birdie, Grimace, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and Officer Big Mac—who have become iconic figures in their own right.
Coca-Cola and McDonald’s have been partners since 1955, helping each other grow into global brands. This “unique, symbiotic relationship,” as noted by the New York Times, makes it fitting to feature them together in this nostalgic campaign.
The collectible cups highlight some of McDonald’s most popular giveaways over the years. Teenie Beanies, introduced as a Happy Meal toy in 1997, were so sought after that customers would line up out the door to get them. Earlier, the dual releases of original Barbie figurines and Hot Wheels cars were so successful that McDonald’s re-released them multiple times. Many of these collectibles now command impressive prices on the secondary market.
What makes the new McDonald’s Collector’s Meal stand out is its availability throughout the day, including breakfast. Depending on when you visit, you can get a collectible cup with either a breakfast combo meal featuring a Sausage Egg McMuffin, Hash Brown, and coffee, or a lunch/dinner combo meal with a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets or Big Mac, along with fries and a drink.
As McDonald’s explores various promotions like celebrity meals, $5 value meals, and large-format burgers, the Collector’s Meal adds another layer to its American legacy. This promotion taps into our nostalgia and highlights how the brand has been a part of our lives for nearly seven decades. It also offers millennials a chance to share stories with Gen Z about the excitement of the Beanie Babies era.
