McDonald's expected to bring back beloved childhood favorite in 2026

Core Insights - Nostalgia is a key strategy for businesses to create emotional connections with customers, fostering long-term brand loyalty, especially during economic uncertainty [1] - McDonald's has effectively utilized nostalgia to maintain its competitive edge and brand identity, leveraging its long-standing relationship with Pokémon [2][9] Company Strategy - McDonald's has over 44,000 locations in more than 100 countries, making it a globally recognized fast-food brand [2] - The company has a history of successful collaborations with Pokémon, starting in 1999, which has produced collectible items and enhanced customer engagement [3][9] - A new Pokémon Happy Meal collaboration is planned for 2026 to celebrate Pokémon's 30th anniversary, expected to include themed packaging and collectible cards [7][8] Market Challenges - McDonald's faces challenges such as slower customer traffic, rising food costs, and decreased spending from consumers [12][18] - Food prices have increased, with a 2.6% rise for food at home and a 3.7% rise for food away from home in the year ending September 2025 [12] - Foodservice traffic declined by 1% in the quarter ending June 2025, indicating reduced dining out frequency [13] Adaptation Strategies - To counter market pressures, McDonald's has expanded value offerings, including the McValue menu and $5 Meal Deals [14] - The company launched the Restaurant Experience Team to drive innovation and efficiency across various operational aspects [15] - McDonald's aims to provide quality, affordability, and great experiences to enhance customer loyalty and engagement [16][17] Performance Metrics - In 2024, loyalty customers contributed approximately $30 billion in systemwide sales [20] - Global comparable sales increased by 3.6% in Q3 of fiscal 2025, with U.S. comparable sales up by 2.4% [20]