What name did McDonald’s give its 1979 children’s meal brand?

McDonald’s gave its 1979 children’s meal brand the name Happy Meal.

The Happy Meal combined a child-sized serving of food with a toy or other promotional item. Its branding made the meal an experience rather than simply a smaller version of an adult order. The familiar red box and cheerful character imagery became important parts of McDonald’s family-oriented identity.

The concept was tested before its national rollout, with different regional versions and names appearing during development. McDonald’s introduced the branded meal nationally in the United States in 1979. Its packaging and collectible promotions soon became as recognizable as the food itself.

The Happy Meal is often confused with the McDonald’s kids’ menu generally. The term refers to the branded meal format, not every children’s item sold by the company. Contents have changed over time and vary by country, but the name and box-based presentation remain enduring elements of McDonald’s branding.