Happy Meal

[1] A small toy or book is included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a red cardboard box with a yellow smiley face and the McDonald's logo.

The packaging and toy are frequently part of a marketing tie-in to an existing television series, film or toyline.

[2] In the mid-1970s, Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño began working with her husband operating McDonald's restaurants in Guatemala.

[5] In 1977, the McDonald's restaurant owner clients who regularly met with Bernstein were looking for ways to create a better dining experience for families with kids.

He had often noticed his young son at the breakfast table poring over the various items on cereal boxes and thought, "Why not do that for McDonald's?

He then called in his creative team and had them mock up some paperboard boxes fashioned to resemble lunch pails with the McDonald's Golden Arches for handles.

Bernstein then named it the Happy Meal and it was successfully introduced with television and radio spots and in-store posters in the Kansas City market in October 1977.

McDonald's Corporation September, 1987 Often, the Happy Meal is themed to promote a children and family-oriented film or television series.

[10] In July 2011, McDonald's announced plans to make Happy Meals healthier, including the addition of apples.

When the Happy Meal was launched in 1979, the toys were a McDoodle stencil, a McWrist wallet, an ID bracelet, a puzzle lock, a spinning top or a McDonaldland character-shaped eraser.

[19][20][21][22][23] In 2022, an adult version of the Happy Meal was released as a timed collaboration with fashion brand Cactus Plant Flea Market.