A “Happy Meal” is a kids’ meal usually sold at the American fast-food restaurant chain McDonald’s since June 1979. A small toy or book is included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a red cardboard box with a yellow smiley face and the McDonald’s logo. The packaging and toy are frequently part of a marketing tie-in to an existing television series, film, or toy line.
The Happy Meal contains a main item (a hamburger, cheeseburger, or small serving of Chicken McNuggets), a side item (French fries, apple slices, a Go-Gurt tube, or a salad in some areas) and a drink (milk, juice, or a soft drink). The choice of items changes from country to country and may depend on the size of the restaurant.
The Happy Meal was introduced in 1979, more than 20 years after McDonald’s was founded in 1955. After McDonald’s employee Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño created “Menu Ronald,” which combined a hamburger, small fries, and a small sundae specifically for young customers in Guatemala, the company’s advertising executive Bob Bernstein brought the idea stateside and swapped out ice cream for toys.
Since then, McDonald’s has collaborated with movies, TV shows, toy chains, and more to bring treats to every child who orders a Happy Meal. In 1997, McDonald’s began including a smaller version of Ty’s classic Beanie Babies in its Happy Meals. After seeing success with the toy promotion, McDonald’s offered the stuffed animals in Happy Meals once every year until 2000, according to Time.
In 2004, McDonald’s implemented the first significant health changes to its Happy Meal offerings. Kids could now order reduced-fat regular and chocolate milk and apple juice as an alternative to soda, while apple slices replaced traditional cookies for dessert.
According to insider.com; en.wikipedia.org. Source of photo: internet
