McDonald's Introduces Its Creepiest Mascot Ever The burger chain's new mascot: a Happy Meal with a terrifyingly toothy grin.

By Kate Taylor •

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Ronald McDonald has a new friend: "Happy," McDonald's newest "brand ambassador."

The animated Happy Meal box with a frighteningly large grin is intended to bring "fun and excitement to kids' meals while also serving as an ambassador for balanced and wholesome eating," according to a McDonald's press release. The character debuted internationally in 2009 in France, and has since been featured in advertising in Latin America and other countries in Europe.


When Ronald McDonald got a makeover last month, Entrepreneur.com wondered if he was going through a midlife crisis. However, if this new character is McDonald's idea of bringing fun to kids' meals, the company as a whole may just be wildly out of touch.

Related: With Burger King's Slogan Swap, You Can't 'Have It Your Way' Anymore

Ronald McDonald has come under fire from clown-haters and health advocates alike. The first two auto-complete options for a Google search for "Ronald McDonald is" are "evil" and "scary." Additionally, in recent years, a group called Corporate Accountability International has pushed for the burger chain to retire the clown and stop encouraging children to eat McDonald's often fattening food.

Happy is supposed to be the healthy counterpart to Ronald McDonald's image as an unhealthy burger-and-fry pusher. His debut in the U.S. coincides with the release of a yogurt as a new kids' meal side.

Related: Midlife Crisis? Ronald McDonald Gets a Makeover, Joins Twitter
Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

McDonald's Franchises Kids Personal Health Kids Meals

Most Popular

See all
Marketing

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Consider Starting a Podcast

This article sheds light on the power of podcasts, particularly for entrepreneurs, outlining steps to launch a successful podcast.

By Alex Quin
Marketing

Want to Connect With Your Customers? Ditch Old Tactics To Forge Stronger Bonds

Communicating effectively with customers can make or break your business.

By Louis Lombardi
Leadership

I've Spent Decades Studying How Mentors Make You Successful. Here's How You Find the Right Ones.

After teaching thousands of students and executives, building a personal board of advisors — or a group of mentors — is the one piece of advice I give to everyone. Here are five of the most important things to know about building your board of mentors.

By Wendy Murphy
Side Hustle

She Started Her Side Hustle to Solve a Serious Problem With Outdoor Furniture. It Blew Past Her Full-Time Job's Income — to $66,000 a Month.

Wendy Wang, owner of F&J outdoors, began crafting covers for patio furniture in 2018.

By Amanda Breen
Marketing

4 Marketing Budget Hacks That Will Boost Your Business in 2024

Use these tried and true tips to create a marketing budget that really moves the needle on your success in the upcoming year.

By Joy Gendusa
Business Plans

10 Simple Ways to Score Media Coverage for Your Book

Media coverage can greatly amplify a book launch, but pitching effectively is key to getting press.

By Vikrant Shaurya