McDonald's has announced a significant and permanent update to its iconic Happy Meal, set to take effect across the United Kingdom from Wednesday, November 19. This change marks a rare alteration to the core menu options available for children.
A New Permanent Fixture for Little Diners
From November 19, the Mayo Chicken burger will become a permanent selection within the Happy Meal lineup. This item, which is already a popular feature on the Saver Menu, consists of a crispy-coated chicken patty served with fresh lettuce and cool mayonnaise. This addition provides young customers with a wider variety of main meal choices, which already include a Hamburger, Cheeseburger, four Chicken McNuggets, two Veggie Dippers, three Fish Fingers, or five Fish Bites.
Each Happy Meal, priced from £4.19 and served from 11am daily, continues to come with a choice of side—such as fries, a fruit bag, or a vegetable bag—and a small cold drink option like bottled water, orange juice, or milk.
Festive Fun with Elf on the Shelf
Coinciding with the menu update, McDonald's is launching a festive-themed promotion to celebrate the season. From the same start date, November 19, customers who purchase a Happy Meal will have the chance to receive one of 12 official plush toys from The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse collection.
For those who prefer a story over a toy, a festive storybook featuring the same beloved characters will be available as an alternative. To further enhance the holiday spirit, participating McDonald's restaurants throughout the UK will host special character visits, complete with face painting and themed activity pages, offering entertainment for families during the school holidays.
Other Recent McDonald's Updates
This menu change is not the only recent development for the Happy Meal. In a partnership with BBC's Children in Need, the chain temporarily replaced the classic red and yellow Happy Meal box with a limited-edition white design. This initiative was part of a mental health awareness campaign designed to encourage meaningful conversations between children and their families.
Separately, for all customers, McDonald's is rolling out a new 'order ahead' feature on its app. This function allows users to order and pay for their food in advance. The app then alerts the restaurant as the customer approaches, ensuring the order is prepared just minutes before arrival. This feature is designed to save time, though it's important to note that for drive-thru orders, you will still need to provide your order code at the window to start the preparation process.
