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

I'm not a tester but how about a fish finger wrap? I love the fillet o fish and a wrap with fish and a bit or tartare and cheese would be awesome!

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments. We just wanted to clarify two Mumsnetters joined a menu development session with McDonald’s months ago which was followed by research that we ran with McDonald's to help decide on the new menu option. We ran a survey which had responses from over 1,000 Mumsnet users asking what they'd like to see in McDonald's Happy Meals. 78% of Mumsnetters said they wanted to see a grilled chicken option and 47% said they'd like to see a vegetarian option, which is why McDonald's went ahead with developing a grilled chicken wrap. However, lots of you said you'd like to see a vegetarian option and this also came up in the focus group we ran with Mumsnetters and gransnetters so watch this space!

What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?
I think the idea of a grilled chicken wrap is great but unfortunately the one we got had hardly any chicken in it and a sauce that was very over-powering that we didn't get to pick ourselves and my daughter didnt like the flavour and said it was too strong. It would be better if we go to choose our own sauce for the wrap as I think a sauce is always a different preference for many people. Therefore my daughter ended up ordering her usual chicken nuggets and chips. I did think the idea was good but the wraps needed to have more chicken/filling. Our one just seemed to be lettuce and sauce.
The carrot sicks went down well but there was no melon left which was a shame as I think melon is a great healthy addition.
What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap?
Unfortunately we wasnt informed that we could customise the wrap as that would of helped as it was the sauce that my dd didnt like. We was just handed a wrap so I assumed the wrap was the only way it came and there was no other options.
What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?
Myself and my family loved the event, unfortuantly where we was seated we couldnt take part in any of the games or saw any of the games taken place but the face painter was wonderful and friendly and turned my dd into a gorgeous puppy. The balloon modeller was artistic and creative and made my dd a lovely butterfly which lasted nearly all the way home. The colour in table cloth was genius, kept my daughter amused while eating and kept her in her seat and happy. We even got one to take home which we are getting on the next playdate here. We had never been to a fun event before and didnt know they existed but my dd did comment that she would love to have a party there!!!

What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?
A vegeterian option, I dont think many people realise how many vegeterian childern there are around. I work in a primary school and I was amazed how many there is, also due to religious reasons so i do think a mini veggie burger would be a great addition. More space as it was hard to find a seat in the restaurant and also a healthier alternative of pudding. Maybe a smoothie lolly, frozen yogurt or even fruit with a chocolate dipping sauce.

What are your main considerations when eating out as a family?
Quality, price, healthier options, ease of getting around restaurant, friendly and welcoming staff and most importantly that my dd will eat it and enjoy it.
Will add photos from phone as laptop wont work.
Thanks for a great afternoon!!!

Photos of dd at McDonald's event

More photos of McDonalds event

What did you and your children think of the new Grilled Chicken Wrap option on the Happy Meal menu?
After the previous meet up, and enroute to the event I told my DS8, and DD5 about the Grilled Chicken Wrap. DS thought it was a good idea as he has been learning about healthier eating options at school. DD wasn't really that interested. At the event, we were offered ready- made grill chicken wraps, but kids weren't hungry. When they eventually became hungry I tried to sway them toward the grilled chicken wrap, but they insisted on ordering their usual happy meal. As it stands I am not ruling it out, just think that they are creatures of habit, but maybe next time I might be more persuasive.

What did you think about being able to customise the Grilled Chicken Wrap? What options did you pick?
CUSTOMISATION is always a positive to me. Kids didn't have the grilled chicken wraps. but they did use the self-order machine to place our orders and DD wanted the pickle removed from her cheeseburger. Usually I pick it out and eat it.

What did you think of the event? Have you been to a Family Fun event before?
We thought it was great fun, kids really enjoyed themselves, the talented face painter did a great job, as did the balloon artist. All the staff were very friendly, and helpful. This was our 1st event and would love to take part in others again.

What else would you like to see from McDonald’s for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience? I think it is enjoyable enough at the moment. The self-ordering machine is great, but collecting your order can take a bit long, last visit I waited 17mins, for 2 adult wrap meals (Ridiculous)[ANGRY]. I also think maybe better happy meal toys which actually have a useful use might be a good idea. Also maybe a points collection system might be another good idea.

What are your main considerations when eating out as a family? Length of time waiting for food is always my concern. Maybe families or groups with kids should be priority.

Thanks for inviting kids n I to the Happy Meal Event.

We had a fabulous time thank you!

The grilled chicken wrap went down well with my two children aged 8 and 6. We weren’t aware of the ability to customise until we ordered more food later. This is definitely a bonus as you can add more chicken to make it a larger meal for the older ones and remove sauces etc for those fussier ones/ allergies.

The only issue my children had with the wrap was opening the packet. They both needed assistance otherwise the contents of the wrap fell out as they opened the packaging. Both said that they would like to see a tab to be pulled or something to give direction.

We all had a great day at the family fun event. It was our first time and it made it so much more of an experience. The children had their faces painted and balloon models. We all sat round the table to play a game while we ate.

We would really have liked to have seen a vegan/vegetarian option on the happy meal menu. I often order the vegetable burger which surely could be an option for the kids.

When we go to McDonalds it’s either as a quick trip to feed the kids or more of a treat experience. The children like to play on the iPads in our local one. I am impressed by the changes McDonalds have been making. The mini McFlurrys are much more suitable size for young children and I was very pleased to see that they have switched to paper straws which actually worked brilliantly.

Our children generally eat healthily at home so when we go out they are able to have a treat. The new options for Happy Meals allow them to enjoy a healthier meal out than the previous options.

Sooo sorry I've taken so long to review the event. We have had a bonkers week with transition days and the craziness that comes with children.
First of all, the event was absolutly fantastic! The entertainers were wonderful and really took the time to engage with the children on a personal level. My two youngest loved the face painting, and walked around London proudly as little unicorns.
The wraps went down a treat with my DS(8) and DD(7) who really enjoyed them and told me that they were yummy and would definatly have them again. My DS(4) was not impressed though unfortunatly. I think it is important to note though that wraps are a regular snack in our house so it was not the food causing his refusal. Usually in McDonalds he opts for a cheeseburger, so I think his distain was the break from the usual routine for him.
My 8 year old has a big appetite and will usually have an adult sized meal when we visit McDonalds. It is a great shame as he hasn't quite outgrown the novelty of getting a toy. I think perhaps McDonald should consider perhaps a 'junior' version of a happy meal for older kids (or just hungrier ones) perhaps that offers 6 nuggets not 4 for example, or medium fries. Obviously I would expect the price to reflect this and for me that wouldn't be an issue, I just feel it's a great shame an 8 year old misses out on the 'happy meal' novelty merely as he has the appetite of a growing boy.
I also feel very strongly about McDonalds not offering a vegetarian option for happy meals. My family are not personally vegetarian, however I feel very strongly about personal choices. It is quite uncomfortable to consider my vegetarian friends missing out on a happy meal, and almost being penalised and forced into buying their children huge meals from the adult menu for a much bigger price!

We really enjoyed this fabulous event, 4 days on my children are still raving about the 'McDonalds party'. Thank you so much for the opportunity x

Sorry it's taken so long to get to review the event! We had a wonderfully busy day and going to McDonald's was a lovely treat for my 2! We didn't stay for too long as we were very hot and bothered and I had my 5 month old screaming at me almost the entire time but the staff were being so lovely to me!
Review below:

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

I thought it was great, it's nice to see a healthier option that just bigger sand burgers but my 6 year old needed convincing to try it and he loved it of course! The 4 year old ate the lot and it seemed the perfect size for him. I think if they were to choose a grilled chicken wrap on a usual trip to McDonald's it wouldn't fill the 6 year old up (but that may be because he has a bottomless pit of a stomach!)

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

We weren't aware of the options and I think ours were just premade.

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

We've been to a few family fun days for my husbands work (military) by never one for a big business especially not as big as McDonald and I felt the atmosphere was really great, I did feel as though we were 'special' being a part of the day. My two boys were smitten with one of the staff handing out the mini mcflurries! It was just nice touches like that that made it feel like a special day not just a trip to McDonald's!
I think making an effort to be family fun should be the main part in going to McDonald's.

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

Like I said above just family fun, not just balloons but maybe have events on in normal restaurants (if McDonald's are allowed to do such a thing) it would get people in and talking about the place.

I'd like to see more fruit on the menu for kids too, I think I saw some children on Saturday with melon fingers and thought what a great addition that was to the menu, maybe fruit salad and rice puddings instead of McFlurrys just as an alternative. Oh and a veggie burger too! The quote burgers McDonald's did a long time ago were divine!

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

Mainly space for us all without feeling like we stand out. Chairs that move and aren't bolted to the floor so breastfeeding/lap sitting is accommodated! Room for a pushchair and changing facilities. Menu choice comes after all that.

More photos of McDonalds event!!

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

Both really enjoyed it and demolished it! It was difficult for them to eat without it falling apart so would be good to think more about packaging. The carrots and melon were appreciated though both also ate chips and the meal wouldn’t have been sufficient without them. I’m pleased that there is a healthy option for them to choose from, but realistically we eat there so infrequently I don’t mind the children eating something less healthy. Both I and DS2 were disappointed there was no milk available in store and experience shows this is a frequent occurrence with both the milk and fruit/carrot options.

• what did you think about being able to customise the grilled chicken wrap? What options did you pick?

We hadn’t realised this was an option and ate what was provided!

What did you think of the event? Have you been to a family fun event before?

We’d not been to an event like this before. The children really enjoyed playing jeepers creepers (in fact I caught my parents playing it this afternoon while the children played in the garden this afternoon!) and having balloons made (even if they exploded on the heat of the tube on the way home). They also really enjoyed colouring the table cloth, though the wait for food was nowhere near long enough to colour much of it! It would have been helpful to have been given instructions about what to do around ordering food and what was coming round automatically when we turned up, but we did work it out.

What else would you like to see from McDonalds for you and your family to better enjoy the restaurant experience?

Better organisation of the table selection and ordering process. Realistically you need two adults as you need to be confident you have a table before ordering.

I’d also welcome further thinking about plastic waste - encouraging use of reusable cups and bottles, better sorting of waste and careful thinking about happy meal toys (how many toys get dumped in the bin within weeks of being brought home?).

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

That depends - for us McDonalds fits into the easy, cheap and convenient bucket - and has been so for a long as catering for allergies, now mostly grown out of, is easy there. At other times we prioritise good food and atmosphere, especially as we all enjoy trying new foods.

Ps a few photos

I thought they would have introduced a veggie option at the event.

So much for the wrap being customisable - I think every review I've read, people said that they didn't realise this and just ate what was provided maybe McD need to work on their communication!

I was also presuming the point of this was that they were finally introducing a vegetarian option...What a pointless thing to do, yet MORE meat options...

Another vote for the introduction of a veggie friendly meal choice. Veggie nuggets, veggie burger, veggie wraps..it wouldn't take much for them to have them in the freezer if it really is that rare that a vegetarian goes in.

another vote for a veggie happy meal option please, I still can't believe that there isn't one!! Burger king do one. I have 2 vegetarian children and know many more.

I really can't believe there's STILL no veggie option for kids at McDonald's!!

Yet another vote for a kids veggie option. There used to be a veggie wrap on the daily wraps a few years ago - why not bring something like that back. It would work for a happy meal and a daily wrap.

You don't have to be vegetarian to eat veggie food!!!

I've worked at McDonald's for six years now and I've never been asked for a vegetarian happy meal. It won't be added because (at least in my area) there's just not the demand. And while in theory I think a frozen yogurt bar is a good idea, I'm not sure how practical it would be.

Cooking veggie nuggets to order isn't as simple as it's being made out here. They'd have to go in a veggie vat which might not always be available when it would be needed and I'd guess there would be a lot of waste. The easier option would be to do something with the existing veggie patties.

I've never been asked for a vegetarian happy meal

Because they don't exist. I bet you’ve never been asked for a pizza either but that doesn’t mean there’s no demand.

I’ve also worked at McDonalds for years and only ever been asked for a veggie Happy Meal option once.

While in theory it would be great to have the option, I don’t think it would sell that well. We hardly sell either of the veggie burgers as it is.

There used to be a veggie wrap on the daily wraps a few years ago - why not bring something like that back.

It was removed because it didn’t sell well and we sell a lot more wraps having four chicken options than three chicken and one veggie.

However, it is still available, just as a burger. The Spicy Veggie Deluxe is exactly the same as the wrap we had years ago, just in burger form. If you ask, we can make it into a wrap for you Howvwer, we cannot turn it into a Happy Meal wrap as it wouldn’t fit.

the only reason I haven't asked for a veggie happy meal is becuse they don't exist!!

We hardly sell either of the veggie burgers as it is.

'Either' of the veggie burgers??? To my knowledge there is only one, you just have the option to have the spicy sauce or not. That is NOT 2 veggie options!

The Spicy Veggie Deluxe is exactly the same as the wrap we had years ago, just in burger form. If you ask, we can make it into a wrap for you ago, just in burger form. If you ask, we can make it into a wrap for you

Er, no it isn't. The wrap used to be like the Linda McCartney southern fried strips (not those actual ones obv, but like that), nothing like the current veggie burger. (Where's the protein?)

Also, if you can make it into a wrap, then why don't you let people know that is an option?? I'd much prefer that than the burger bun.

I'm another one who's never asked for a veggie happy meal. because there isn't one! My veggie children have had mozzarella sticks and small fries for years (until you change the mozzarella sticks for the awful cheese pops with pepper in them that kids hate, and then we go somewhere else). If there was a veggie happy meal, we'd probably go more often.

I think you're missing the point I was trying to make. People ask for various things all of the time yet I've never once been asked if we could make a veggie happy meal. I've been at work since early morning and I haven't sold a single veggie option (and only one fish meal). The vast majority of McDonald's customers come in for the burgers. (Especially Big Tastys. We've sold loads of those today).

If you want a veggie option adding the happy meal menu, there has to be the demand and at the moment, there just isn't.