Adult Happy Meals
Repackaging Nostalgia for Grown-Up Tastes and Increased Revenue
POV - from our point of view: a snapshot of the emerging trends we have our eyes on.
When McDonald's introduced the now iconic Adult Happy Meal in 2022, the excitement reverberated across both traditional and social media—sparking a nationwide craze. The meal combined two things people love: childhood memories, and a great value. A month's worth of supply sold out in just two weeks, bringing in $80 million in sales for McDonalds, and proving just how powerful nostalgia can be.
We’re now seeing upscale restaurants and bars capitalize on the "Happy Meal" appeal, with fresh takes that put a truly adult spin on the concept. Even without 85 years of history to leverage, restaurants are repackaging the idea into something guests can get excited about.
Check out a few fresh takes from around the country:
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