Stateside ‘Friends’ Fans Are Missing out on an Adult Happy Meal Centered Around Their Favorite Show
It’s a sad month for Friends fans who also enjoy McDonald’s. The famed fast-food chain has released a Friends-themed adult Happy Meal, complete with collectibles. If you’re wondering why that would make a fan sad, the answer is simple. The Friends adult Happy Meal is not being released in the United States. The themed bundle has been released in parts of Europe and South America.
Everything you need to know about the ‘Friends’ Adult Happy Meal
Last month, McDonald’s made a big announcement for its international customers. In a press release, they announced that a new Friends-themed adult Happy Meal would be added to the menu for a limited time. The meal gives fans the chance to test out a new dipping sauce called Monica’s marinara. Included in the meal are nine chicken nuggets, a Big Mac or a McPlant sandwich, French fries, and a beverage. Fans will also collect a collectible figurine with their meal. The purchase comes in a Friends box.
The figurines, of which there are at least six, represent each of the show’s main characters. According to the official press release, United Kingdom fans can also win specialty mugs when they order through the app. It’s unclear how many will be given away during the promotion. The meal launched earlier this month in the United Kingdom and several other European countries. It is expected to be released in other regions, including South America and the Caribbean, soon. There does not appear to be any plans to bring it to Canada or the United States at this time.
The United States has had success with themed meals before
While American patrons won’t be getting access to the Friends-themed meal, several successful adult Happy Meals have been released in the United States. The most recent was released in December 2025. In December, the hamburger purveyor released a Grinch-themed adult Happy Meal. The meal, which included a pair of Grinch-themed socks, a limited-time-only fry seasoning, a beverage, and either chicken nuggets or a Big Mac, had people speeding to the drive-thru.
The meal cashed in on the nostalgia of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at a time when everyone was watching it. The fast food joint has had similar success with previous Adult Happy Meals, too, though the Grinch-themed meal appears to have been the most successful so far. A Friends-themed meal in the United States could dethrone the Grinch, though. It doesn’t look like it will be happening soon, though. The McDonald’s x The Grinch meal was available in other markets, as well.
