“Menu Hacks” was, in essence, “Famous Orders” for McDonald’s less-starry customers.
It spotlighted McDonald’s food combinations that had risen to fame on TikTok and turned them into official menu options. See: hash brown McMuffins and the debut of a “land, air & sea” — a chicken sandwich, Big Mac, and Filet-O-Fish squished together.
Each food item was packaged separately so people had to “build” their own McDonald’s meal.
“We didn’t invent the menu hack—it was alive and well on TikTok—but we just decided to lean in, in a simple way, and create a unique experience for fans,” Hassan told ADWEEK at the time.
2022: McDonald’s x Cactus Plant Flea Market (Wieden+Kennedy NY)
In 2022, the brand debuted a Happy Meal tie-up with streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market.
The imprint’s founder, Cynthia Lu, redesigned the famous little red box for adults. Each one contained a meal and a surprise: one of four collectible figurines based on familiar McDonald’s characters, including the Hamburglar and a new limited-edition mascot, Cactus Buddy. Custom Cactus Plant Flea Market x McDonald’s items including T-shirts were also listed online.
Hassan called the partnership a “home run,” and said it led McDonald’s to experience its highest weekly digital figures in history after its launch in September 2022.
2022: ‘Camp McDonald’s’ (Wieden+Kennedy NY)
