Business & Tech

McDonald's 'Happy' Character Met with Fear and Revulsion

A big McStake? New Happy Meal "ambassador" from France just wants kids to eat more healthfully.

McDonald's showed off a new character Monday named "Happy," calling it the "Happy Meal brand ambassador."

It's a red box with a big mouth, lots of teeth and giant googly eyes.

Happy "brings fun and excitement to kids’ meals while also serving as an ambassador for balanced and wholesome eating. Happy will be (officially) introduced nationwide May 23, and will encourage kids to enjoy fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and wholesome beverages such as water or juice," says the Oak Brook, IL-based fast food chain.

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McDonald's tweeted Happy to its legion of followers on Monday. The Twitterverse promptly replied with "Who thought this was a good idea?"

Happy was first introduced in 2009 to children and families in France, according to McDonald's. Where he is beloved. Much like Jerry Lewis.

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But the US of A must not be as cultured as France, as others chimed in with:

  • "Give us back Grimace and the Hamburgler."
  • "It's the meal that eats you."
  • "That is not right with God."
McDonald's is also adding Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt as a Happy Meal side option on July 4. Because nothing says "American Independence" like low-fat Go-Gurts.


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