The Happy Meal was introduced nationally by McDonald's in 1979.
The children's meal combined a small serving of McDonald's food with a toy, creating a product that was also a branded experience. Its packaging and collectible promotions made the meal especially visible to families and helped McDonald's build a distinct identity for younger customers.
The concept was tested before the national launch. The national rollout followed regional experiments and marketing work associated with McDonald's child-focused promotions. Toys became a defining feature, although the exact food contents and packaging have varied by country and period.
People sometimes confuse the launch date with earlier local tests. McDonald's had offered children's promotions before 1979, but 1979 is the standard date for the national introduction of the Happy Meal in the United States. The product later became a global brand platform, with toys often tied to films, television characters, sports, or original McDonald's properties.