Which fast food chain introduced the Happy Meal?

McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal. The children’s meal was developed in the late 1970s as a packaged combination of food, a drink, and a toy or small gift designed specifically for young customers.

The idea drew on a “Ronald Menu” created by Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño, who operated McDonald’s restaurants in Guatemala with her husband. McDonald’s advertising executive Bob Bernstein developed the concept further, recognizing that children would respond to a meal box filled with colorful games, illustrations, and surprises. The first Happy Meal promotion appeared in the Kansas City market in October 1977, followed by a wider national rollout in 1979.

The original Happy Meal was not simply a toy giveaway. Its box was part of the experience, giving children their own recognizable package rather than a portion of an adult meal. Early toys included a McDoodle stencil, a McWrist wallet, an ID bracelet, and a puzzle lock. The first movie-themed promotion was connected to Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979.