McDonald’s has brought back childhood memories for many of its clients by adding a new adult version of the classic happy meal to its menu.
McDonald’s announced its partnership with the streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market Sept. 27, to launch the Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, a nostalgic version of the Happy Meal but this time for adults.
The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box will give customers the option to choose between a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, both coming with fries, a drink and one of the new four collectible figures.
The happy meal toys reintroduce three classic characters that have been part of the food chain since its foundation: the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie and a new character called Cactus Buddy.
Hamburglar was first introduced in the 1970s as the “Lone Jogger.” His dress style was a matching black and white striped top and bottoms, a black cape, a black hat, a red burger tie and red gloves. His primary object of theft was hamburgers.
In 1972, Grimace was introduced as “Evil Grimace.” He had the same purple shape but four arms to steal milkshakes, which was later reduced to two arms in an advertisement. For several years, Grimace became vanished from the public eye.
Birdie was the first female character used in McDonald’s advertisements to promote breakfast menus during the 1980s. The character is described as a yellow bird wearing a pink jumpsuit, flight cap and scarf.
Similarly, Cactus Buddy is a brand-new character included as part of the collection as the identifiable mascot of Cactus Plant Flea Market.
The box features an aesthetic style designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market, which trades McDonald’s signature red for a vibrant green, blue and orange. McDonald’s says the box was inspired by childhood memories of enjoying a Happy Meal.
“We’re taking one of the most nostalgic McDonald’s experiences and literally repackaging it in a new way that’s hyper-relevant for our adult fans,” said Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s USA chief marketing and customer experience officer in an interview for the Today Show.
Locally, many El Paso locations are sold out of the new version of adult Happy Meal due to its popularity.
The price will vary depending on the size of the meal. The large-size version starts at $10.89 while the medium-size version will start at $9.50 plus taxes.
However, if customers are not lucky enough to find the new adult Happy Meal, McDonald’s will begin including the classic Boo Buckets in all available happy meals for this Halloween season which started Oct. 18.
McDonald’s Happy Meals for adults or classic Boo Buckets will be available for a limited time while supplies last in the drive-thru, in-restaurant, by delivery or on the McDonald’s app.
Eduardo A. Flores is a contributor and may be reached at [email protected]; @eduardo_aa_flores on Instagram; @floreseduardo on Twitter.
