A McDonald’s in Japan has had to halt its Happy Meal promotion due to an overwhelming response from collectors eager for limited edition Pokémon cards.
The fast-food chain revealed that each “Happy Set,” which is similar to the Happy Meal, would include two exclusive cards. Customers could expect at least one Pikachu card with every purchase.
This promotion quickly attracted serious collectors, some of whom only wanted the cards, disregarding the food that came with them. I mean, it’s kind of wild—people tossing away kids’ meals just to grab collectible cards. It really makes you think about priorities.
Reportedly, these cards have already found their way to online marketplaces, with some listings reaching about $28 each, quite the price for collectibles!
McDonald’s has affirmed its commitment to combating waste and won’t be ending this promotion anytime soon. The company stated, “We don’t support food abandonment. It goes against our philosophy of providing enjoyable experiences for families and children.”
Interestingly, there are about 3,000 McDonald’s outlets in Japan, making this a particularly large-scale endeavor.
In response to the chaos, McDonald’s mentioned they plan to enforce limits on how many sets each person can buy and will pause online orders for the upcoming Pokémon promotions.
It’s fascinating to see how collectors are willing to pay exorbitant prices—some Pikachu cards are even going for over $1,000. Just last week, a rookie pitcher for the Brewers shared a moment in the clubhouse after scoring a rare Charizard card. It’s a whole world out there.
