McDonald's is changing the rules of customers Buy a happy meal in Japan after launching Pokémon meal Earlier this summer resulted in combat and food waste.
This is because McDonald's Japan has launched four new happy dining options available for purchase starting Friday.
Newsweek Contact McDonald's Press Office by email.
Why it matters
When the fast food chain launched the Pokémon Happy Meal in Japan in August, craving Pokémon fans flooded McDonald's stores. According to Business Insider, the press conference quickly turned into chaos.
According to the media, the food was discarded and wasted. Some customers buy meal deals in bulk and resold them to Pokémon lovers, while some Happy Meal Toys are listed on the country’s largest online resale market for higher prices.
After launching the Pokémon Happy Meal in August, the fast food chain said: “McDonald’s does not tolerate buying happy sets for resale purposes and does not waste or dispose of food.”
“This incident clearly goes against our long-standing philosophy of providing children and families with interesting dining experiences, as well as our values as restaurants.”
File photo: People wait outside a McDonald's store in Tokyo on March 15, 2024.
AP/Hiro Komae
What to know
McDonald's Japan appeared to quote the chaos in August in its statement on the rules change, noting that “McDonald's does not tolerate unattended or discarded food.”
“We strictly prohibit the purchase or resale of Happy Collections for resale purposes, or other purchases for commercial purposes, or the use of customers who do not comply with the above rules and manners.”
The announcement comes along with the Golden Arches’ four-game happy meal set, with Sanrio in Japan: “Plarail” meal, “My Melody and Kuromi” meal, “Let’s play Cinnamoroll” meal and “Moon Universe Nanchara nanchara kotetsukun” meal.
Sanrio is a Japanese entertainment company known for its iconic characters, including Hello Kitty.
McDonald's noted that this would limit the number of items sold to “prevent large-scale purchases from being ignored for resale purposes and food.”
Happy Meals can only be sold in-store or via express trains, while delivery services and mobile orders will be suspended on Friday. However, other products will still be available through delivery services and mobile ordering.
Additionally, only three new Happy Meal Sets can be purchased for the same group or account, while only one customer can be purchased for the same customer.
McDonald's also reminds customers that they do not allow them to choose the type of toys for Happy Meals.
What are people talking about
McDonald's Japan said in its announcement: “Please note that the toy will be used up as soon as it is used up.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by customers who regularly use McDonald’s Store, Mobile Ordering and McDaly Services Services, but we appreciate your understanding and understanding.”
What will happen next
The rules may change again, depending on how the launch of these happy meal settings is going on as McDonald said on Saturday, and it will “determine the appropriate response based on sales.”