McDonald's Revives Classic Characters with Throwback McDonaldland Meal

McDonald's is taking a trip down memory lane with its new Throwback McDonaldland Meal, which launches on August 12. The meal features classic entrees such as the Quarter Pounder or Chicken McNuggets, served with fries and a surprise blue and pink milkshake flavor inspired by the iconic Mt. McDonaldland volcano.

Each meal comes with collectible tins containing stickers and postcards featuring beloved characters like Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese. To further fuel the nostalgia, McDonald's is also partnering with PacSun and Away on clothing and accessory collaborations that showcase these same characters.

The Throwback McDonaldland Meal and merchandise are a nod to the chain's roots in McDonaldland, which debuted in 1971 and spanned multiple formats, including movies, board games, and in-restaurant playgrounds. As part of its efforts to revamp its offerings and attract customers, McDonald's is "surprise flavor" that's themed after the colors of the original Mt. Mcdonaldland volcano.

Ronald McDonald

"We're excited to bring back these beloved characters and offer our customers a taste of nostalgia with this special meal." said Ronald McDonald, as he was quoted.

The Throwback McDonaldland Meal is part of the chain's efforts to recover from one of its worst-performing periods since the COVID-19 pandemic began. After experiencing a decline in patronage from lower- and middle-income demographics due to concerns over inflation and the economy, the company has made other menu changes to adapt to changing customer preferences.