News McDonald's Japan scraps Pokémon card Happy Meals promo

[thomas]

McDonald's Japan has scrapped a Happy Meal promotion featuring popular Pokémon cards after resellers bought up meals in bulk and dumped the food, leaving piles of waste outside stores. The "Happy Sets," aimed at children and including a toy like a mini Pikachu plus a Pokémon card, reportedly sold out within a day. Japanese media said large amounts of uneaten food were found nearby. In a statement, the company apologised, saying it opposed food waste and acknowledged that its preparations had been inadequate, noting the incident clashed with its long-held goal of providing an enjoyable dining experience for families.

​

McDonald's said it was working on ways to prevent such a situation from happening again, such as limiting the number of meals each person can buy and ending online orders. It said it might deny service to customers who fail to abide by the rules. "We vow to return to the basics of what lies behind the Happy Set, which is about helping to bring smiles to families so we can contribute to the wholesome development of the hearts and bodies of children, who are our future," the company said. Collecting Pokemon cards is popular among adults and children in many places, with the most popular cards selling for $1,000 or more. Unusually large crowds were seen flocking to McDonald's stores when the meals with Pokemon cards went on sale. The cards were later being resold for up to tens of thousands of yen (hundreds of dollars) online. McDonald's has been selling Happy Meals for more than 40 years. In Japan, they usually sell for 510 yen ($3.40).

McDonald's Japan's Pokemon card Happy Meals promotion comes to an unhappy end

Fast-food chain McDonald’s Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards

abcnews.go.com

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/13/asia/japan-pokemon-mcdonalds-food-waste-intl-hnk

McDonald's campaign turned into a reselling frenzy:

​

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

They really should have set purchase limits on these from the beginning. Of course, hind sight is always 20/20.

 

[Petaris]

They really should have set purchase limits on these from the beginning. Of course, hind sight is always 20/20.

It is sad that they would need to in the first place. The greed of the type of people who do these types of things should make them embarrassed to show themselves in public, unfortunately these same people also have no sense of shame.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

It doesn't help, either, that a lot of adults don't bother to grow up and stop collecting items intended for children.

 

[thomas]

It seems they learned from their Pokémon disaster.

McDonald's Japan said on September 9th that for the Happy Meal sets to be released on September 12th, sales on the first day will be limited to in-store counters and drive-thru only. Mobile ordering and delivery will be paused, and purchases will be capped at three per group. The company will decide how to proceed after September 13th based on conditions on the first day.

​

McDonald's Japan Takes Measures To Prevent Resale of Happy Meals

McDonald’s Japan said on September 9th that for the Happy Meal sets to be released on September 12th, sales on the first day will be limited to in-store counters and drive-thru only.

newsonjapan.com

 

[mdchachi]

Is this going to be a Pokemon-themed promotion also?