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Courier-Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Macca's releases cult item ‘taking over world' in new Happy Meal
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat. Followed categories will be added to My News. A huge fast food chain has teamed up with a popular toy brand to give away a cult item that is 'taking over the world' in its Happy Meals. Macca's has announced Squishmallows — a brand of soft, plush toys known for its 'marshmallow-like' texture — will be available in its popular kids meals from May 29. The brand will have 14 characters available with expressions that are exclusive to the fast food chain. These included Rossi, the purple cheetah with pink spots, and Charles, the winking green pickle. But, there are even characters who are debuting as part of the range. This includes Halley, the intergalactic axolotl, and Theotto, a monster with dragon wings. Theotto is only available in Australia and New Zealand. As well as the physical toys themselves, there is also a scannable code that features a digital game. Macca's is releasing a cult item that is 'taking over the world' in its new Happy Meals. Picture: Supplied Squishmallows, a brand of soft, plush toys known for its 'marshmallow-like' texture, will be available in its popular kids meals from May 29. Picture: Supplied Amanda Nakad, the marketing director of menu and brand for McDonald's Australia, said: 'We're all about connecting our fans to culture, and these squishable plushies are all the rage right now so we're bringing the search for Squishmallows to Australia. 'This limited-time Happy Meal brings a taste of the viral toy sensation to Macca's, with the first McDonald's Squishmallows Squad. Whether you're joining the hunt to collect them all or just looking for a dose of happiness, there's a Squishmallow for every kind of fan with this new Happy Meal.' Meanwhile, Gerhard Runken, the executive vice president of brand and marketing for the company that makes Squishmallows, said: 'Our first McDonald's Happy Meal collaboration received such a massive global response that we're bringing it to Australia for the very first time. 'We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our fans than with a Happy Meal featuring character favourites with unique, never-before-seen happy expressions and the debut of our newest Squishmallow Squad member Halley, making the search exciting as ever for fans worldwide.' Halley is only available in Australia and New Zealand. Picture: Supplied It's no surprise that Macca's has picked up this as its next Happy Meal toy, following the popularity of the item not only with children but with teenagers and adults too. The 'kidult' trend — items designed for kids but popular with all ages — has taken off in recent months. Footage has shown Aussies lining up at 3am for Labubu, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. The item has become the ultimate status-boosting item after soaring to popularity with huge celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. A similar item — Jellycats — has also been a hit item with all ages, with David Jones telling 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles,' a David Jones spokesperson told 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.' Originally published as Macca's releases cult item 'taking over world' in new Happy Meal
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
McDonald's brings back beloved Happy Meal toys for first time in 2 years — but you need to act fast
Fast food fans are more than happy about this news. On Tuesday, McDonald's announced that the beloved Squishmallows are officially back in Happy Meal boxes after a two-year hiatus. 'Squishmallows squad collectors and Happy Meal fans gather 'round,' McDonald's wrote on its Menu Spotter. 'You've waited patiently for two years, and we want to let all collectors know, there's a new squad on the block that you won't want to miss out on.' 3 Squishmallows are back at McDonald's for a limited time after a two-year hiatus. McDonald's In each box, customers will find their typical Happy Meal order of choice, along with one of 12 adorable Squishmallows — and this time, 'the pocket-sized plushies are showing off with an even happier, more adorable smile.' Each Squishmallow included in the Happy Meal comes with a character hang tag, which will share the name and a little about your new Squish, as well as a code to scan for an interactive game. McDonald's is also introducing a never-before-seen Squishmallow, an Intergalactic Axolotl named Halley. 'Soft, sweet and full of personality, these Squishmallows are WAITING for you! So, head to your local McDonald's to find your perfect Squish while supplies last,' McDonald's said. Hunting down these collectibles is a big part of the fun for Squishmallow collectors — so they better act fast, as a McDonald's spokesperson told Today that they'll only be in stores until Monday, June 9, while supplies last. 3 McDonald's is also introducing a never-before-seen Squishmallow, an Intergalactic Axolotl named Halley. McDonald's Since their release in 2017, the soft and adorable Squishmallows have become some of the hottest toys on the market. 'We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our fans than with a Happy Meal featuring character favorites with unique, never-before-seen happy expressions and the debut of our newest Squishmallows Squad member, Halley, making the hunt exciting as ever for fans worldwide,' Gerhard Runken, Executive Vice President of Brand & Marketing at Jazwares, said in a statement. Fans are lovin' the return of the Squishmallow Happy Meal, with many taking to social media to declare, 'I know what I'm getting for dinner.' 'Dinner sorted for the rest of the week, happy meals every day,' one person chimed in. 'I NEED THEM ALL!!!!' someone screamed. 3 In each box, customers will find their typical Happy Meal order of choice, along with one of 12 adorable Squishmallows. Walter Cicchetti – 'Just left my full blown adult job (on lunch break) to get a happy meal,' a happy customer said. 'The way I'd carry them all in my pocket for a smile when someone's down hehe,' another shared.
