When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
McDonald’s Happy Meals, a cornerstone of childhood, are undergoing a significant change. The fast-food giant is testing a revamped Happy Meal menu in select locations (mainly in the UK and Ireland right now), with a focus on healthier options and a potential shakeup to the classic side.
Starting May 29th, a 14-week trial begins to test the new Happy Meal this week at in the North West, including Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside, and select restaurants in the Republic of Ireland. If all goes well, the new meal will roll-out with the implemented changed across the UK in 2025.
The chain spoke to a news outlet, discussing the coming changes: “Giving you even more reason to smile, four new menu items are coming to Happy Meal as part of a McDonald’s UK trial. Happening exclusively in the North West region of the UK and in selected restaurants in ROI, the trial will last for 14 weeks from 29 May, 187 restaurants across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and the Republic of Ireland will be the first to get their taste buds on.”
What Are the Happy Meal Changes?
Fresh Faces on the Menu: The biggest news is the introduction of four new main course choices. Alongside the familiar chicken nuggets, customers can now opt for veggie dippers, fish bites, flavored milk, a McFreezy and a chicken mayo sandwich. This broader selection caters to different preferences and dietary restrictions.
Fries Get the Side-Eye: Perhaps the most surprising change is the ditching of french fries as the default side. Instead, Happy Meals will offer a choice of healthier options like apple and grape bags, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, or a fruit-flavored popsicle. This aligns with a growing trend of fast-food chains offering healthier options for children.
The Happy Stays: While the menu gets a refresh, the core concept of Happy Meals remains. The iconic red boxes are still present, though the U.K. trial earlier this year that replaced “Happy” with “The Meal” to address mental health awareness is not part of this current menu change. The toys, a beloved aspect of Happy Meals, are expected to stay as well.
Trial by Happy Meal: This revamped menu is currently being tested in locations across North West England and some parts of Ireland. The success of this trial will determine if these changes become permanent and roll out to a wider audience.
Will these changes make their way to the US after the trial test? We haven’t heard anything to suggest that the US would be changing up the Happy Meal anytime soon but frequently, the chain will test items or changes internationally before bringing them to the states,
What do you think? Would you get behind this in the UK or the US?
Related Reads
