McDonald’s Launches Adult Meal with Squid Game Candy Challenge ONLY in Australia
The fast food chain’s promotion with Netflix’ Squid Game began in Australia on Dec. 12, 2024.
McDonald’s has long tapped into popular culture and entertainment, and most people will remember Happy Meals that featured toy characters from movies like Aladdin or The Lion King.
However, in December 2024, the quick-service restaurant teamed up with Squid Game, the fictional adult survival thriller from South Korea on Netflix. The McDonald’s Squid Game meal is only available in Australia (to the disappointment of many worldwide fans) until January 7, 2025.
To correspond with the Squid Game season two debut on Netflix Australia on Boxing Day (26 December 2024), McDonald’s (also nicknamed Macca “Down Under”) is launching MACCA’S SQUID GAME MEAL AND CHALLENGE nationwide. The meal will be served up in an adult-sized box emblazoned with Squid Game characters.
The meal includes a 10 pc chicken nugget meal with fries, a drink, and Korean BBQ sauce. Most importantly, McDonald’s added a Korean Dalgona Candy to the meal (available in four designs), which is a nod to one of the riskier games in the series.
Fans of Squid Game may remember that participants choose one of the candy’s shapes in a game called ppogi. They then had to “extricate it with a needle without breaking the candy. If the clock runs out or they break the candy, they are eliminated.” (“Eliminated” in Squid Game parlance means killed.)
In the MACCA meal, the Dalgona Candy shapes include the McDonald’s logo, a triangle, a circle, and a star. Fans can test their skills and steady hands for the chance to win an exclusive MACCA’S & SQUID GAME GREEN PLAYER TRACKSUIT. Or, for those who master the McDonald’s M-shaped logo, there is a draw to win ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. The assignment is simple: carve out the symbol on the crispy honeycomb candy without breaking it in under 10 minutes.
Amanda Nakad, Marketing Director for McDonald’s Australia, said: “You’ve seen Squid Game on Netflix, now experience it at Macca’s as we bring the game to life for our customers and fans alike across our restaurants.
“Whether you’re a Macca’s collector, are planning to binge-watch Squid Game, or simply want to enjoy this unique candy, now is your chance to get in on this exclusive collaboration. So, the only question is… are you ready to play?”
Macca Origins and Popularity
Yes, Australians commonly refer to McDonald’s as “Macca’s.” This nickname has become so prevalent that it has been officially recognized and embraced by the company in Australia.
The use of “Macca’s” as a nickname for McDonald’s in Australia is rooted in the country’s love for diminutives and slang terms. Australians have a tendency to shorten names and add vowels to the end, which is how “McDonald’s” became “Macca’s.” A branding survey commissioned by McDonald’s Australia found that 55% of Australians refer to the company by its local nickname, which also demonstrates its deep integration into Australian culture.
Official Recognition
McDonald’s has not only acknowledged this nickname but has also incorporated it into its branding and marketing strategies in Australia:
- Temporary rebranding: In early 2013, McDonald’s restaurants across Australia temporarily changed their signage from “McDonald’s” to “Macca’s” in honor of Australia Day.
- Trademark registration: McDonald’s has held an Australian trademark registration for “MACCA’S” since 1994.
- Marketing campaigns: The company has used the nickname in various marketing initiatives, including slogans like “IT ALL COMES TOGETHER AT MACCA’S” and a mobile app called “TRACK MY MACCA’S.”
More About McDonald’s Australia
Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971. Today there are over 1,025 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia, approximately 85 percent of which are franchised and run by local businessmen and women. The organisation employs more than 115,000 people in restaurants and corporate offices Australia-wide and is one of the largest employers of youth in the country. McDonald’s spends over $60 million per annum on training and people development.
About Squid Game
Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the states and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or- death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys® becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer, and producer.
