McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal nationwide in the United States in 1979.
The children’s meal was created as a packaged combination of a small hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink, and a toy. Its colorful box gave McDonald’s a highly recognizable product identity aimed specifically at families. The concept had been tested in several markets before its national rollout.
The Happy Meal became a major part of McDonald’s family branding, alongside Ronald McDonald and the fictional McDonaldland characters. The exact contents have changed over time, including the addition of healthier options and different toy promotions.
A common mix-up is confusing the Happy Meal’s 1979 national introduction with earlier regional tests. The term also refers to the children’s meal brand, not simply any small McDonald’s meal.