McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal nationally in 1979.
The meal was designed specifically for children and combined a smaller food portion with a toy or other child-focused promotion. Its packaging and toy made the meal more than a menu item: it became a recognizable piece of McDonald’s family branding.
The concept had been tested in selected markets before the national launch. The first national version included a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink, and a themed toy, although the contents have changed substantially over time.
The Happy Meal is sometimes confused with later children’s-menu names used by other restaurant chains. Its distinctive name and box helped make it one of McDonald’s most identifiable branded products, alongside the Big Mac and McNuggets.