# TV Series-Inspired QSR Meals McDonald's Australia is Serving Up the New Squid Game Meal By Amy Duong | Published 2024-12-11 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/squid-game-meal References: [mcdonalds.au](https://mcdonalds.com.au/newsroom/step-squid-game-maccas-new-meal)  [McDonald's Australia](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-honey-menu) introduces the special Squid Game Meal just ahead of the second season launch of [Netflix's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-and-netflix) global streaming series. From December 11 this year until January 7th, 2025, fans can enjoy the limited-time meal that creates a playful twist of the game show with the captivating Dalgona Candy challenge. The main meal is comprised of a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets that can be dipped in Korean BBQ sauce. It comes with fries and a drink and it is all packaged in a collector's box. The design and decoration feature the Squid Game symbol and characters with a focus on the fragile Dalgona candy. This allows fans to partake in the challenge and carefully cut out the shapes without breaking the other parts of the honeycomb sweet treat but it is in the [Golden Arches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-collection) 'M' logo. Image Credit: McDonald's ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 32% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **TV Tie-in Meals:** TV series-inspired meals offer unique cross-promotional opportunities as part of a trend where fast-food brands leverage popular media franchises to attract fans. - **Edible Experience Marketing:** QSR brands are creating immersive culinary experiences that integrate elements from popular media, enhancing consumer engagement through interactive meal components. - **Limited-time Collaborations:** Limited-time fast-food offerings connected with cultural phenomena reflect a growing trend of ephemeral collaborations that capitalize on current entertainment buzz. ### Who This Affects Most - **Quick Service Restaurants (QSR):** Quick Service Restaurants are transforming consumer experiences with themed meals that tap into pop culture phenomena. - **Entertainment Media Collaborations:** The entertainment industry is branching into food collaborations, creating cross-industry partnerships that engage fans with interactive and collectible elements. - **Food Packaging:** Innovations in food packaging enhance brand storytelling, offering collectors' items that feature recognizable branding and relate to popular cultural narratives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sci-Fi Show QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-x-stranger-things.md) - [Content-Inspired QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-as-featured-in-meal.md) - [Popular Game-Inspired QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minecraft-movie-meal.md) - [Show-Inspired Pink Tonal Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-and-netflix.md) - [Film-Inspired Holiday Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grinch-meal.md) - [Sci-Fi Fast Food Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-x-stranger-things.md) - [Decade-Celebrating QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/throwback-meal.md) - [Adult-Focused Meal Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-meal-1.md) - [Reprised Iconic Character Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-grinch-meal.md)