Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 459,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,208 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 459,692 cutting edge ideas.

Freeconomics & Food

McDonalds Gives Out Free McSkillet Burritos

— February 27, 2008 — Marketing
As Wired magazine pointed out in their most recent "Free Issue," freeconomics and supplying the world with free products and services is the way of the future.

McDonald's has reaffirmed that gratis is the future of business. This Thursday and Friday, they're giving away 2,000,000 free McSkillet Burritos during breakfast hours; thats one million each day with the purchase of a medium or large drink.

The breakfast wraps stuffed with eggs have been around for a while, but McDonald's clearly believes not enough people have had a chance to try them. Evidently, they think that offering a free taste will breed a nice wave of people needing their McD's fix first thing in the morning. They've actually gone quite far to market them; they have a really fancy, flash website dedicated to the greasy breakfast burritos.

For those who don't know, it's basically all the American breakfast staples rolled together: scrambled eggs, a pork sausage patty, chunky potatoes, peppers, cheese, onions and a salsa topping, all wrapped in a tortilla.

We've seen free food being given out by large chains before. Starbucks, for example, holds an annual Free Coffee Hour in which anyone can grab a tall coffee free of charge.

Trend Themes
1. Freeconomics - The trend of giving away products for free is becoming increasingly popular and can be leveraged by businesses looking to gain more customers.
2. Breakfast Wars - Breakfast menus are becoming increasingly popular and competitive, providing opportunities for companies to differentiate themselves and gain market share.
3. Flash Marketing - The use of flash websites and other marketing methods that create a sense of urgency and exclusivity can be an effective way to promote products and attract customers.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - This industry can leverage the trend of free food to attract more customers and gain an advantage over competitors.
2. Coffee - Coffee shops and chains can benefit from Starbucks' free coffee hour and consider offering their own promotions to attract new customers.
3. Internet Marketing - The use of flash websites and other attention-grabbing tactics can be an effective way to promote products and services online, particularly in industries such as fast food and coffee where breakfast menus are becoming increasingly popular.
4.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness