# Throwback QSR Promotions The McDonald's Throwback Thursday Promotion is Available on the App By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2021-01-22 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-throwback-thursday-promotion References: [chewboom](https://www.chewboom.com/2021/01/20/mcdonalds-offers-25-cent-cheeseburger-as-part-of-throwback-thursday-app-deals-through-february-18-2021/) & [mcdonalds](https://www.mcdonalds.com) The [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-food-deals) Throwback Thursday promotion is being launched as the QSR brand's latest [app-based special](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snacky-hour) that will offer consumers a way to score a range of their favorite menu items at a rock-bottom price point. The promotion will be taking place every Thursday through February 18, 2021 and will offer a different deal for each of the different days. This includes getting a cheeseburger of small shake for just 25 cents, an apple pie for 20 cents or a large fries for 35 cents, depending on the day. The McDonald's Throwback Thursday promotion is being made available exclusively through the app and only requires that customers place a minimum in-app purchase of $1 to take advantage of the [low-cost menu items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/checkers-menu). Image Credit: McDonald’s ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **App-based Promotions:** McDonald's latest app-based promotion offers menu items at rock-bottom price points on Throwback Thursdays, presenting potential for other QSR brands to use app-based promotions to attract customers. - **Nostalgic Menu Offerings:** McDonald's Throwback Thursday promotion relies on nostalgic menu items, providing opportunities for QSR brands to use throwback menu items as a disruptive innovation to attract customers. - **Limited-time Deals:** McDonald's Throwback Thursday promotion offers a different deal each week until February 18, 2021, signaling opportunities for QSR brands to create limited-time offers to keep promotions fresh and encourage repeat customers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Food:** The limited-time, nostalgia-based promotions at McDonald's could inspire other fast-food chains, with potential disruptive innovation in the industry through creative limited-time menus. - **Mobile Apps:** McDonald's uses their mobile app to exclusively offer the Throwback Thursday promotion, indicating opportunities for other industries to use app-based promotions to engage with customers. - **Technology:** QSR chains can adopt disruptive innovation by incorporating new technologies that enable app-based promotions. Throwback Thursday shows McDonald's innovative use of technology to attract and retain customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Complimentary QSR Fries Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-fries-friday.md) - [Syllabus-Themed QSR Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-food-deals.md) - [Celebratory Basketball QSR Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-up-your-dunk-game-playbook.md) - [Rival QSR Burger Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carls-jr-sad-mac-buy-back-promotion.md) - [Decade-Celebrating QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/throwback-meal.md) - [Nostalgic Adult QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonaldland-meal.md) - [Anniversary QSR Burger Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jack-in-the-box-jumbo-jack-promotion.md) - [Complementary Food QSR Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonic-live-free-fridays.md) - [Retro QSR Meal Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonaldland.md)