McDonald's made its smartest financial move this year
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In the wake of the viral successes of promotional meals centered around Grimace the Monster and classic McDonaldland characters, fast-food giant McDonald's launched the limited-time holiday Grinch Meal at the start of December.The meal tailored around the iconic Dr. Seuss character pairs either a Big Mac or 10 Chicken McNuggets with medium dill pickle-flavored McShaker fries, a medium drink, and a pair of holiday socks featuring the notorious holiday grouch alongside other characters like Cindy Lou Who.All is served in festive green-and-red packaging with curmudgeonly phrases like "All For Me" on the packaging."THiS iS MY MEAL AND i DiDN’T PARTNER WiTH McDONALD'S OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF MY HEART," The Grinch writes in promotional material for McDonald's. "i SAW AN OPPORTUNiTY TO BRiNG MiSCHiEF TO YOUR BELOVED 'RESTAURANT' WiTH MY DELiCiOUS CHAOS FOR THE HOLiDAYS AND i TOOK iT."The McDonald's Grinch Meal overtakes Snack Wrap in popularityWith "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" remaining a cross-generation holiday favorite since it was published in 1957, the themed McDonald's meal saw instant success to the point of selling out at many restaurants across the country."Performance levels we have not even seen during the Minecraft Meal or the return of Snack Wrap," McDonald's Senior Marketing Director Guillaume Huin posted on social media platform X. "If you want to try the Grinch Salt Shaker Fries or grab the collector socks, I recommend going soon. They won't last long."Related: Airport closing all locations of iconic 107-year-old storeBrought back in July 2025 and remaining on McDonald's menus since, the Snack Wrap is a handheld tortilla wrap filled with a piece of fried chicken, shredded cheese and lettuce. It was initially launched in 2006 as part of the chain's focus on "healthy lifestyle" during that era and discontinued in 2016 despite developing somewhat of a cult following."From countless social media posts to full-fledged petitions, [fans] never gave up on their favorite menu item,” McDonald's wrote at the time of the Snack Wrap's return last summer.
The Grinch Meal will be available for a limited time during the 2025 holiday season.McDonald's Grinch Meal results in shortages, online hawkingThat said, the Grinch Meal has already proven more popular than the Snack Wrap despite the latter being on the menu for longer. Numbers released by McDonald's in a later earnings report showed that 20% of customers bought a Snack Wrap within the first month of its return while same-store sales rose by 3.6%.While the chain has not released official numbers on Grinch Meal sales, both Huin's post and online reporting from McDonald's workers and customers struggling to find sold-out meals suggest that it is proving to be a verifiable boon for the chain.
More Food News:McDonald's menu finally brings back most-wanted fan favoritePopular fast-food burger chain to open first store in new marketTaco Bell to bring five crazy new dishes to its menusWalmart makes deal to open popular food chain in storesThe themed socks have already started appearing on eBay at inflated prices of up to $100 (the meal costs between $10 and $18 depending on location and size). In a statement mirroring how the children's classic is written, McDonald's corporate branch confirmed that the Grinch Meal has been selling well."The Grinch promised a holiday treat, and our fans jumped to their feet," it reads. "His spirited socks have brought so much delight, that The Grinch Meal is selling left and right."Related: Taco Bell to add three popular desserts to permanent menu