McDonald's Squishmallows Happy Meal has been announced through a partnership between the brands to provide diners with a squishy plush toy for them to collect on their next visit.
The Happy Meal will arrive on December 26, 2023 and boasts some of the most recognizable Squishmallow characters for diners to collect. The toys come in 12 styles to collect and each come with a QR code on the Happy Meal box that will bring up various playlists themed around each Squish character.
McDonald's USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Tariq Hassan spoke on the McDonald's Squishmallows Happy Meal saying, "We're all about connecting our fans to culture and Squishmallows are some of the hottest toys out there right now. This collaboration welcomes McDonald's and Squishmallow fans alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience with the first McDonald's Squishmallows Squad."
Squishy QSR Toy Collaborations
McDonald's Squishmallows Happy Meal Arrives on December 26
Trend Themes
1. Squishy Plush Toy Collectibles - The partnership between McDonald's and Squishmallows to create a Happy Meal collectible toy line presents opportunities for other quick-service restaurants to collaborate with popular toy brands.
2. QR Code Interactive Experiences - The inclusion of QR codes on the Happy Meal boxes, which provide themed playlists related to each Squishmallow character, suggests potential for other industries to create interactive experiences through QR code activations.
3. Branding Through Collaborations - The collaboration between McDonald's and Squishmallows showcases the potential for brands to expand their reach and connect with new audiences through creative collaborations.
Industry Implications
1. Fast-food Restaurants - Fast-food chains can explore partnership opportunities with toy brands to create limited-edition collectibles as a way to attract and engage customers.
2. Toy and Gaming Industry - Toy and gaming companies could leverage QR codes to provide interactive experiences for customers, enhancing engagement and adding value to their products.
3. Marketing and Branding - Marketing and branding agencies can assist brands in finding unique collaborations that can differentiate them from competitors and generate excitement among their target audience.