McDonald’s will be giving away around 100,000 apples as part of the trial of a new Happy Meal. The 12 restaurant, nine week trial starts March 24 and will include a free NZ Royal Gala apple in all Happy Meals.
Patrick Wilson, McDonald’s Managing Director, New Zealand says: “This trial is about offering New Zealand families more choices for their children and to gauge how we can continue to evolve the Happy Meal. Including an apple for free, and adding new side and drink options in the trial will give us a good read on what direction we can take with Happy Meals going forward.”
McDonald’s has made several changes to the Happy Meal in recent years, including healthier drink and side options as well as swapping toys for half a million children’s books during its annual book promotion.
“Our research clearly tells us that New Zealanders do not want to have options taken away and that it’s important to offer a range of genuine choices. We’ve seen that already with the options we’ve added over time, and also how we market Happy Meals,” adds Mr Wilson.
Happy Meals are only displayed with the grilled chicken snack wrap, apple slices and water. McDonald’s also limits how toys are shown, and marketing includes a health and wellbeing message. McDonald’s has not promoted Happy Meals on TV in children’s viewing hours for several years. In 2015 McDonald’s developed an industry-first approach in digital advertising to restrict the chances of children seeing any McDonald’s marketing content when using their parents’ devices.
This trial is part of McDonald’s Journey For Good, a multi-million dollar investment programme to deliver nutritional improvements across its menu and increased choice and flexibility for customers. Other recent improvements include a move to free range eggs and a five year commitment to reducing sugar across the drinks menu.
Assuming the trial is successful, McDonald’s will roll out the new Happy Meal to all restaurants, keeping the free fruit as a permanent addition.
For more information, please visit mcdonalds.co.nz.
