McDonald’s Introduces Dog Toys as Part of Their Drive-Thru Menu
McDonald’s drive-thrus have looked the same for decades. You pull up, order food, get handed a bag, and drive off. Recently, something new started appearing at that same window: dog toys.
The toys are part of a limited drive-thru rollout, ordered like any other menu item. The rollout began in late 2025 in France, marking the first time the company offered toys specifically designed for pets through its regular ordering process. It would be interesting to see how customers respond to this, especially as pets become increasingly integrated into daily routines.
The Drive-Thru Has a New Passenger
The toys were introduced under the name Happy Doggy, a deliberate nod to the Happy Meal without copying it outright. The collection featured four dog toys modeled after familiar McDonald’s items.
There was a chew toy inspired by fries, a bun-style toy, a ball echoing the brand’s dessert menu, and a fry-shaped tug toy, which was released through the mobile app ahead of the others. They were soft, durable, and clearly built for play. Customers could add them to a qualifying meal for a small extra charge.
Pets as Family Is Already the Norm
Pet ownership continues to rise, and emotional attachment has grown in tandem with it. The campaign timing was not accidental. Surveys across multiple markets indicate that younger consumers view pets on the same emotional level as close relatives.
McDonald’s reacted to it, and France was chosen as the launch market for a reason. Roughly one in three households owns a dog, and younger consumers, in particular, show strong loyalty to brands that acknowledge their pets as part of their everyday life.
McDonald’s France has a history of testing ideas locally before expanding them elsewhere. This campaign followed that pattern, developed in partnership with DDB Paris.
Executives described the project as a means to modernize the family language without altering the core brand. Pets were treated as an extension of existing traditions.
France’s rollout ran across restaurants, television, outdoor placements, digital audio, and social platforms. Availability was limited by design.