McDonald's brings back a beloved childhood favorite for 2026
thestreet.com••technology
Key Points:
- McDonald’s has effectively leveraged nostalgia, particularly through long-term collaborations with Pokémon since 1999, to foster deep emotional connections and brand loyalty among customers worldwide.
- The company recently launched a limited-time Pokémon Happy Meal in January 2025 featuring Dragon-type Pokémon and plans to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with a similar promotion expected in early 2026, potentially including special collectible cards.
- Facing economic challenges like rising food costs and reduced dining out, McDonald’s has expanded value offerings and launched the Restaurant Experience Team to innovate and improve operational efficiency.
- This multifaceted strategy combining nostalgia, collectibles, immersive experiences, and value menus has helped McDonald’s increase global comparable sales by 3.6% in Q3 2025
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