What children's restaurant promotion did McDonald's introduce in 1979?

McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal in 1979.

The Happy Meal was a children’s meal combining a small serving of food with a toy or other promotional item. Its packaging was designed as a colorful box, turning the meal itself into a branded object that appealed directly to children and families.

The promotion was first tested in selected United States markets before becoming a nationwide product. It helped make toys, movie tie-ins, and collectible characters central parts of McDonald’s family marketing.

The Happy Meal is sometimes confused with the earlier children’s meal concepts developed by regional operators. The nationally recognized McDonald’s product is specifically called the Happy Meal, and its 1979 introduction became a major milestone in the company’s branding history.