Find out what MNers think of the new McDonald’s Happy Meal menu options

[EmmaMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnetters who attended the McDonald’s family fun day to try out the new Happy Meal menu with their 5-11 year olds. Testers visited a McDonald’s restaurant in St Pauls for music, games, face painting, and for their children to try the new customisable grilled chicken wrap menu option in Happy Meals. This new option was added to the Happy Meal menu after running research via a survey and focus group with Mumsnetters and gransnetters to find out what they’d like to see in Happy Meals.

Here’s what McDonald’s has to say: “We are constantly looking for ways to enhance our menu, from introducing new items to evolving the recipes of our iconic favourites. We’ve taken big steps to improve our Happy Meal in recent years and reducing saturated fat, salt and sugar content across our menu remains a priority. This is why we have been working with Mumsnet to provide even greater choice for parents and their families. We’ve heard from Mumsnetters about what they’d love to see added to the Happy Meal menu and we’re excited to be launching it.”

Testers please share any photos you took at the event and answer the following questions:

• What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?
  
• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?
  
• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?
  
• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?
  
• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?
  

Everyone who leaves their feedback on event will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

To find out what gransnetters think of the new Happy Meal option click here.

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[Sixgeese]

We have just got back from a hot day in London.

All three of my DC tried the grilled chicken wrap at the fun day and all liked it (which is a miracle in itself!) For DS (13) it was just a snack and would no way fill up the bottomless pit which is his stomach, DD (11) liked it but needed both the fries, fruit and a side of cheese dippers to make it into a filling meal, but for DD (9) with fruit and fries was just about enough for her but she found it fell appart as she was eating it.

We just got the standard wrap handed out in boxes but listening to the McDonalds rep, the option to customise by getting double the chicken and more veg could solve the not enough food to fill issue for DD(11)

They all enjoyed the event with DD(9)making full use of the face painter and balloon modeller, she wore her face paint with pride all over London for the rest of the day and her balloon ladybird on her wrist. Her siblings got very embarrassed by her!

Being able to increase the size of a happy meal to fit the growing size of appetite of children would be great, as a 5 year old eats a lot less than an 11 year old, but a Happy Meal is aimed at both ages. As a family we solve it by them swapping their small fries with my medium ones as they get older before they switch to adult meals (my 9 year old has switched from fish finger happy meal to fillet o fish meal this year so all three now have adult meals normally)

For us main consideration as a family is speed, convenience and something they will all eat. We eat alot of fruit and veg at home so the times we get fast food we don't mind the 'unhealthy' options.

They all really enjoyed their day and would to be asked to try another menu option.

[Sixgeese]

Some pictures from our day

[Jsrose]

Thank you so much for such a lovely afternoon. My daughter and I had so much fun and really enjoyed our meal. I had the grilled chicken wrap (not the crispy one) and I had the fiery sauce which was just how I like it 🤪. I had it with chips and decided to go for the classic Macdonalds cola (as a bit of a treat).

I’ve never been to a family fun event before and really enjoyed it. Macdonalds is so perfect for the family. It offers choice for everyone - me a health freak (but addicted to sugar and my daughter a chicken nugget fan who rarely tries anything new but today decided on the cheese bites that she totally loved.

Only other options I think Macdonalds could offer could be a frozen yoghurt bar with the fresh fruit and other not so healthy options that the kids could queue up for whilst we adults get to enjoy our yummy dinner.

Main considerations when eating out as a family is choice, (kids are fussy), healthy options for adults and children alike and value - all of which Macdonalds offer.

Thanks so much again and here are my pics.

POST EDITED BY MNHQ TO REMOVE IDENTIFYING DETAILS.

[Whenasuitcasejustwontdo]

We arrived just after the opening slot with all the tables full already! We ended up on the bar stools which wasn't ideal for my husband with mobility issues but the staff were brilliant and kept popping over to check we were ok. I guess this threw the hosts a little as we were told to order anything from the menu so unfortunately we missed the part where we were supposed to order the grilled chicken wrap, sorry!

We did order wraps but the buffalo chicken ones and the chicken nugget/fish finger combo happy meals. We liked the melon pieces; the carrot sticks went down well too. I really appreciated the water bottles coming out first so my kids (notorious for barely drinking) had a much needed drink before their meal.

We've never been to a family fun event before and it really exceeded our expectations! We were in there for 1.45hrs! The staff were incredibly friendly with superb interactions with my children- were they children's entertainers?! They made them giggle and listened to them- I felt like the staff really enjoyed their jobs!

The games were brilliant; we loved the mouth mats and the spin on 'who am I'. My two had their faces painted really well (I was shown tips from the face painter!). The balloon animals were excellent! It was like a party!

When we go out to eat as a family speed to get the food out is probably our priority. McDonald's always does this very well. We have some religious dietary restrictions which are well managed here too. The wrap options are definitely a healthy option which I am very encouraged by. All in all, a great day. Thanks to all the staff involved.

[Mewithane]

• What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?

This is a great healthy alternative to chicken nuggets, DDs favourite of all the happy meal choices. She was very adamant at first she wouldn’t eat the wrap, especially as it came out filled with ketchup - a big no no for her. I asked for another with just the chicken and lettuce and after a bit of persuasion she gave it a go and LOVED it! She still claims nuggets are her favourite but I think we may have a new option for the fussy eater!

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?

I had no idea it could be customised, it wasn’t mentioned that we could choose how it came, Happy meals were just handed out amongst the children with no options offered. It was only after I asked for one without ketchup that it was switched. Not customisable in my opinion as anything can have ketchup added or removed.

• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before? The event was great, lots to do for the little ones. Face painting and balloon modelling went down a treat, along with a few games. Ice cream coming along half an hour after lunch was also welcomed with wide eyes and outstretched arms (DD, although I wasn’t going to turn it down!). This is the first family fun event I have been to.
  
• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience? McDonalds staff could be friendlier in all restaurants, with the colouring pages and crayons being filled and balloons ready for the kids. The kids aren’t fussed about the food, it’s the experience that they love IMO.
  
• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?

Not too expensive, somewhere kids can enjoy themselves and laugh and food options for the fussiest of children that isn’t chicken nuggets! Oh, and yummy food for the grown ups too :)

A selection of photos has been included. Thank you to McDonald’s and Mumsnet.

[enjoyingscience]

What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?

They both loved it - DS(9) would have merrily eaten three, but it was a great size for DS(4) with just the melon. I'd definitely encourage them to go for it as an option over just nuggets or a burger in future.

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?
  

We didn't realise this was an option - we were given one premade, and didn't get to chat to any of the staff (except about balloon models - we ended up with a rather beautiful dinosaur). It seemed standard plain option - chicken and lettuce.

• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?
  

It was lovely - the boys were very happy with the trays of mini mcflurries in particular! The staff were friendly, games were great, and they both really enjoyed it. They even attempted to interpret DS(4)'s incredibly exacting face paint requirements - he wanted the flash, but not the real flash, and it had to be on a specific bit of his face he wasn't prepared to name. Well done to the brave woman who sorted that one...

• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?
  

More veggie options? Maybe a veggie wrap would be good - so there was more than one option. That said, I've been known to slum it a double order of cheese dippers which makes a very excellent main in extremis. Maybe also a healthier dessert option - a frozen yogurt or smoothie lolly perhaps, rather than ice-cream. (I will still get the apple pie. It's irreplaceable)

• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?
  

Neither of the DSs are remotely fussy eaters, but they do have ants in their pants in a fairly major way, so somewhere which is fuss free, quick, and easy. I need coffee, mainly (plus something veggie).

We usually end up at McD's every few weeks after parkrun, so their breakfasts are a big favourite, but hardly ever for lunch - I was really impressed with it for them, actually.

[aggga8]

Thank you for a lovely event.

My daughter really enjoy new chicken wrap, my son didnt like it. He said he prefer chips and fish fingers.
Grilled chicken wrap should be available without ketchup inside as well.
The event was lovely, face painting, lots of games for kids and ice crem:)
It will be nice to see more healtier ice cream maybe frozen yogurt or smoothie from real frood.

Thank you Mumsnet and McDonalds

[Vagndidit]

Thank you for having us. It was a brilliant (but hot!) day out in London, so lunch at DS's favourite spot was an added bonus.

My son (10) is a particularly picky eater, but happily gobbled up his chicken wrap (although he wasn't fond of lettuce mixed in with ketchup). We didn't realize they could be made to order, so just ate what we were given. However, DS is a big lad with an even bigger appetite, so a small wrap with a bag of melon bites (those were lovely, by the way, so juicy!) weren't quite enough to fill him up. To be honest, I gave him some fries from my plate because he said he was still hungry after his own meal.

The mini McFlurries were a lovely treat and gaming mad DS absolutely loved the games and Super Mario stickers distributed by staff. It was a great event, and they couldn't have been more accommodating. Thanks!

[SoupDragon]

Have they added a vegetarian option to the happy meal menu yet?

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

Thank you so much for selecting us for this!

DD and I liked the grilled chicken wrap, DS2 wasn't keen, but ate half.

I was expecting the option to customise the wrap, but we were given premade ones.

We've never been to a family fun event before, we didn't know they existed! Even DD 10 enjoyed the games.

We'd like kids' breakfasts and junior meals for older DC, although DD said the wrap was filling.

My main considerations are that we all like the food, DS2 doesn't get bored and it isn't too busy for DD, who's an introvert.

We had a lovely day, thank you! DS2 was late for bed because of the travel time, but it was so worth it!

I'll have to switch browsers to post photos. Stupid Chrome. 😠

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

Soup you can opt for the chicken wrap without the chicken and with extra salad...

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

Photos!

[Imchlibob]

Have they added a vegetarian option to the happy meal menu yet?

Nope.

[SoupDragon]

I’m not vegetarian and even I think that’s utterly shit. They appear to have introduced two chicken wraps. One could easily have been vegetarian.

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

The other chicken wrap already existed I think.

We did point out at the focus group about the possibility of a vegetarian option. They reckon that they lose money because there aren't enough vegetarian children.

[Imchlibob]

There are quite a lot of vegetarian children. I suspect that they are assuming that many of the parents of vegetarian children would rather die than take their child to McDonald's. However that's not going to be a universal attitude and it's tough when McDonald's seems to be the default location for schoolmates birthday parties - being stuck with just carrot sticks and chips.

I don't see how it could really lose them money to keep a bag of quorn nuggets in the freezer and cook 4 of them on request when needed. If the maths honestly worked out that this would cost more than cooking 4 chicken nuggets then there would be no harm in having that as a 50p surcharge "upgrade" option to ensure they made their margin. You only lose money if you choose to charge less than the cost of supplying the service.

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

I agree with you. Quite a few of us really tried, but the staff weren't listening. I'm sorry. 😢

[GingerIvy]

We were going to this event, but due to some annoying assumptions made (we checked on the survey that we were interested in seeing McD's have some gluten free options), McD's took our name off the list, saying that the wraps had gluten in them. Rather disappointed by this, but hearing that the chicken wraps came out with ketchup on them, probably just as well. My children wouldn't eat that.


I thought that McD's was looking to be a bit innovative and looking to try something new, rather then just a chicken wrap, which isn't really a hugely "new" item. It would have been nice to see a vegetarian option added, as well as some gluten free options. We have friends that are both, and my children have to limit their gluten to some extent, so we cannot go to McD's for meals with them as the children don't have much by way of options there.

Even something as simple as using lettuce leaves to wrap the grilled chicken in (without the ketchup please!!) would have been something different for gluten free. And as others have mentioned, a quorn option might have been workable for vegetarians. Or even a veggie burger of some sort with option to put it in the wrap. Grilled chicken strips instead of chicken nuggets would also have suited a gluten free diet. Or even gluten free wraps - they are on the market now.

[Imchlibob]

I suspect as with many of these things the people running the event knew exactly what they wanted the answers to be and had no intention whatsoever of actually using it as a way to gather information or have their plans affected by the result. I wonder if their "8 out of 10" advert had already been designed in advance and the target for the event was to make sure the result was as close to 8 out of 10 as possible?

[SnotGoblin]

It was nice having another option on the Happy Meal menu. My usually adventurous kids balked at the wrap which might have been because they already had eaten nuggets, burger and chips by the time the Wrap meals were brought to us. It tasted strongly of ketchup which I wasn’t a fan of.

I had no idea we could customise it as I didn’t receive any information about it at all. It was just presented pre-made to the kids in the Happy Meal. Customising sounds bds great in theory. I’d have opted for little or no ketchup on mine .

The event was brilliant, much better than I’d expected it to be as if never been to one before. The staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone was treated specially. Nothing was too much trouble. On the way home, my daughter asked if we could go to that Old McDonald’s again and I said that we could but tried to explain that the party wouldn’t be there next time...

I’m fairly well covered by the options as they are but I does seem strange that there’s no vegetarian option for kids. Plus, more seats in all your restaurants always. I’m often struggling to order and seat two small children. We even struggled to find a table on Saturday!

My main considerations are dependent on what type of eating out we’re doing. If it’s just a lunch on the run or while out and about, McDonalds and other fast food ‘family’ type places feature highly.

Thanks for having us Mumsnet and Maccas, we loved it.

[rupert23]

What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu
my son loved the new chicken wrap said it was tasty and gave it 10 out of ten. he is a fussy eater so i am glad that he liked it

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick? i didnt know that we could customise it as the wraps were given out ready done at the event. He would like to be able to do that on the machine in future as he likes the idea of choosing and changing his own meal
  
• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before? i enjoyed the event and so did he, we havent been to one before. he spent most of the time colouring the table cloth as you can see in the pictures.
  
• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience? i like the fact that they are doing more healthy options and you can choose what you eat on the machines which makes ordering so much easier. i would like to see a vegetarian range as my daughter is vegetarian and only eats the fries.
  
• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?
  

we like to go somewhere where we can all eat together and find something for all of us. it has to be affordable too.
thank you for letting us try the new wraps and come to the fun day we had a good time.

[MissEP]

What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?
My daughter really enjoyed it and ate it all. I think it was about the right size for a kid too. My son did enjoy it too but as he is only 2 so he managed to make a right mess of it! I did not try the wrap myself.

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?
  

I was not given any options, sorry I was completely unaware of this and just took what we were given,

• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?
  

It was great, we all had fun. We've never been to a family fun event before but thoroughly enjoyed it. All the staff were really nice and made myself and the kids feel welcomed. My daughter especially liked the face painting!

• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?
  

I think what you offer families is great. You know what you get from McDonalds and the kids love it!

• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?
  

changing/loo facilities, adequate space for us and the kids and buggy. That we feel welcomed as sometimes you go out as a family and people seem annoyed if you have kids! something to keep the kids entertained, not having to wait too long.

[icclemunchy]

• What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu? DD7 loved it, but shes also a fan of the crispy chicken so i'm not too surprised. DD3 had a bite and then demanded nuggets :D but my eldest was happy to finish it for her. The carrot sticks and melon are nice but will deff need to be in addition to the chips for my eldest! The mini McFlurry we're the winners on the day though, we often don't get them because i feel they're too big for little ones unless its a special occasion but these are the perfect size
  

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick? I didn't actually realise you could customise it we were just given ready made ones
  

• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before? We've never been to one before but the kids loved it. its not the most practical if you have mobility issues (there isn't the space really for crutches let alone a wheelchair with some many excited kids running around, plus it was downstairs!) The table top games went down a treat as did the facepainting and balloons
  

• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience? better organisation of the tabletop service. The grown ups order went missing and even when we asked about it no one seemed to have a clue. It puts me off eating in store with the kids on my own as my mobility doesn't allow me to keep getting up and down to chase order s up
  

• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family? The price and ease of access/ user friendlyness. a drive thru McDonalds is usually a pretty good bet for us

[Staceyltom]

I think it’s got so much better. They doing a lot better than from from when we was kids

[catsandsprogs]

Thankyou for inviting us to the day my son ds7 had a great time!

Feedback below:

• What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?

Normally he would have the nuggets and is quite set in his ways so took some convincing, but he ate it and enjoyed it - I think he would have it again.

• What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?

I wasn't aware you could do this, we ate what we were given! Great idea though

• What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?

I haven't been to an event like this before, my son really enjoyed it. The staff were fantastic, very friendly and good with the children.

• What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?

More interaction from staff with the children, such as handing out colouring packs etc a scaled down version of what we had on Saturday! Some of the other posters mentioned things such as varying the size of the happy meal to cater for different ages and options such as frozen yoghurt would be great. Also continuing to review healthy options for adults too so we can eat out too when treating the children!

• What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?

Convenience, both tasty treats and healthier options available, price, and pleasant environment.