McDonald’s unveils 2 new adult Happy Meals, 5 menu items

Since introducing the Happy Meal in 1977, McDonald's has consistently used pop culture partnerships to drive traffic and stay relevant across generations.

Now, the company is extending that strategy into adult fandom culture, this time through a new collaboration tied to one of the fastest-growing global entertainment trends: K-pop.

The move underscores a broader shift in McDonald's marketing strategy, blending food, entertainment, and digital engagement to deepen customer loyalty beyond the restaurant.

McDonald's unveils the brand-new "KPop Demon Hunters" collaboration

McDonald's (MCD) is partnering with Netflix (NFLX) to launch a brand-new "KPop Demon Hunters" adult Happy Meal, available at all restaurants nationwide starting March 31, according to the official company announcement.

The limited-time offering includes two new meal options, themed menu items, collectible merchandise, and digital experiences, extending engagement beyond a single transaction.

McDonald's x "KPop Demon Hunters" new menu items

• Spicy Saja McMuffin: A Sausage McMuffin with Egg, topped with a peppery Spicy Saja Sauce.
• Ramyeon McShaker Fries: World Famous Fries with soy, garlic, sesame, and spice seasoning inside a McShaker bag
• Hunter Sauce: Sweet chili
• Demon Sauce: Spicy purple mustard
• The Derpy McFlurry: Vanilla soft serve with popping berry pearls and wild berry sauce

New meal Options

• The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal: A Spicy Saja McMuffin, a Hash Brown, and a small soft drink
• The HUNTR/X Meal: 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Ramyeon McShaker Fries, Hunter sauce, Demon sauce, and a medium soft drink

Each meal includes a pack of HUNTR/X or Saja Boys Photocards and a Derpy access card. Customers can scan the QR code on the access card using the McDonald's App by April 26 to unlock first access to exclusive content and participate in a limited-time interactive experience inspired by the film.

"Everything we do at McDonald's is for the fans, and no one can relate to that more than Netflix and 'KPop Demon Hunters'," said McDonald's Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Alyssa Buetikofer in a statement. "Big things happen when you bring two massive fandoms together, and this partnership was a natural fit."

"Every detail was designed to feel like it could have come straight out of a scene in the movie," added Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Marian Lee.

What is "KPop Demon Hunters"?

Released on Netflix in June 2025, "KPop Demon Hunters" is a musical animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation. The story follows HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop girl group that uses their secret demon-hunting powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats. Saja Boys is a rival boy band whose members are demons in disguise, according to Netflix.

The film has reached more than 500 million views on Netflix since its release and won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars, according to Netflix.

The soundtrack has also broken records, showing the growing global influence of K-pop. HUNTR/X became the first K-pop girl group to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100, and "Golden" became the first K-pop song in history to win a Grammy Award.

The rapid rise of K-pop in the U.S.

Although K-pop originated in South Korea, which remains its largest fanbase, the music genre's popularity has recently accelerated in the U.S. Driven by global streaming platforms, social media, and dedicated fan communities, groups including BTS and BlackPink have achieved chart-topping success, sold-out tours, and gained mainstream media visibility.

Industry data reflects this growth.

• U.S. K-pop streams increased 39% from 2022 to 2023, according to SiriusXM Media.
• 82% of U.S. respondents listen to K-pop weekly, and nearly half have followed K-pop for two to five years, according to Billboard's latest K-pop Fandom in the U.S. Report.

For McDonald's, tapping into this audience captures a high-engagement, younger, and digitally active consumer base.

McDonald's invests in K-pop collaborations

This isn't the first time McDonald's has collaborated with a K-pop group.

Previous K-pop partnerships

• BTS meal: A limited-time meal with the K-pop boy band BTS released in 2021, according to McDonald's Corporate.
• TinyTAN Happy Meal: Debuted another collaboration with BTS for the launch of a new Happy Meal in 2025, featuring animated character versions of the band, according to TheStreet.

Digital integration drives growth

Over the past decade, McDonald's has evolved the Happy Meal experience by integrating digital features such as QR codes that unlock interactive virtual games and activities through its mobile app and website.

Since launching its U.S. mobile app in 2015, the company has used its platform to offer personalized promotions, deals, loyalty rewards, push notification reminders, and digital ordering, turning it into a key driver of customer retention.

McDonald’s digital strategy delivers results

Recent financial results indicate that McDonald's digital investments are delivering measurable returns.

McDonald’s fourth-quarter and full-year earnings results for fiscal 2025

• Digital platforms now reach nearly 210 million 90-day active users across 70 markets, increasing 19% year over year.
• Loyalty customers generated about $37 billion in systemwide sales in 2025, up 20%.
• Global comparable sales rose 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025, with U.S. comparable sales climbing 6.8%.
• In the full year of 2025, global comparable sales increased 3.1%, with U.S. comparable sales rising 2.1%.
  Source: McDonald’s earnings report and Form 10-K, fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2025

Related: McDonald's latest menu missteps could have a major domino effect

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski credits the company's recent performance to improved customer engagement and value perception.

"By listening to customers and taking action, we have improved traffic and strengthened our value and affordability scores," said Kempczinski in the company's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings release. 

What analysts are saying about McDonald’s

Industry analysts say McDonald’s remains well-positioned, despite growing competitive pressures in the fast-food sector, because it closely monitors rivals' trends and strategies.

"Innovative loyalty programs and menu experimentation are expected to enhance customer retention and drive repeat visits, positively impacting long-term revenue," said MarketBeat analysts.

However, some analysts warn that digital and loyalty investments may pressure margins in the short-term.

More McDonald's Business News:

• McDonald's revives two popular collaborations in new Happy Meal
• McDonald's finally brings overseas fan favorites to US in 2026
• McDonald's revives 36-year-old fan-favorite Happy Meal toy collab

Why it matters

The "KPop Demon Hunters" collaboration highlights how McDonald's is evolving its marketing strategy, blending entertainment, digital engagement, and global fandoms to stay competitive.

By aligning with culturally relevant brands and leveraging its digital infrastructure, the company sets itself up for growth while adapting to rapidly changing consumer trends.

Related: McDonald's unveils 2026 menu as sales rebound