McDonald's
Fast food restaurant · Branch Crossing ·
Classic burgers & fries chain with nostalgic merch & celeb collabs
Classic burgers & fries chain with nostalgic merch & celeb collabs
"Rather than an indistinct blob, the chain’s nuggets are actually produced in four distinct silhouettes; the boot-shaped piece was highlighted on the survey as the most recognizable of those forms and drew roughly 6% of responses because kids and parents find it good for catching dipping sauce, easy to hold, and less likely to come apart than other shapes." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
"The Chicken McNugget elicits strong nostalgia and is praised as a marvel of engineering: an ideal two-bite shape that balances crunchy coating and chewy interior, creating an unnaturally craveable, nugget-specific flavor profile rather than tasting like straight chicken. Other tasters noted a spongy texture and an emphasis on breading seasoning over pure chicken flavor, but its nostalgic appeal remains decisive for many." - Eater Staff
"Ran a Mercury-retrograde-themed campaign that included an app-exclusive deal — a McChicken or McDouble with the purchase of a medium fries on May 10–11 — and a promotional partnership with TikTok tarot reader Madam Adam, featuring a live reading at 6 p.m. ET on May 10. The promotion frames astrological talk as entertainment tied to limited-time food deals and has been called out as cynical corporate marketing that borrows witchy trends and social-media influencers to polish brand image rather than express sincere engagement with the beliefs themselves." - Jaya Saxena
"A major fast-food chain that has pursued celebrity collaborations with pop stars to harness cultural buzz and boost brand visibility; critics argue these savvy marketing tie‑ins often help distract from mounting criticism of fast food’s terrible labor conditions and the ethical questions surrounding such promotional deals." - Eater Staff
"Exemplifies a menu and operations carefully optimized for takeout and drive-thru efficiency, with offerings and service engineered for food that’s eaten to-go." - Amy McCarthy