McDonald's has launched an unusual marketing campaign in Germany designed to bring back the atmosphere of the early 2000s for its customers. According to Wave RBC.UA citing the company's official press release, the sale of a collection of five mini radios started in the chain's restaurants on October 28, 2026. The devices are designed in a retro style and are not purely decorative: when a button is pressed, they play a music snippet. Thus, the chain has reimagined the familiar children's meal toys, turning them into collector's items targeted not only at children but also at adult pop culture fans of that era.
Five Hits — Five Separate Devices
The collection consists of five mini radios, each featuring a distinct color and musical accompaniment. The lineup includes tracks that defined the sound of the era: «Toxic» by Britney Spears, «Sk8er Boi» by Avril Lavigne, «I Kissed a Girl» by Katy Perry, «Sorry» by Justin Bieber, and «Traum» by German artist Cro. Each device plays approximately a 30-second snippet of a single song, and you cannot change the track on a single receiver — a separate model is provided for each hit. That is why collectors must purchase all five devices to complete the set.
Nostalgia as the Foundation of the Campaign
The novelty is part of the nostalgic campaign «Endlich wieder bei Mecces» («Finally back at Mecces»). According to the company's concept, the mini radios are a reimagining of the toys previously distributed as part of Happy Meals. While such accessories were previously addressed primarily to children, the focus has now shifted to an adult audience that remembers the music and pop culture of the early 2000s. Thus, McDonald's relies on an emotional connection with the past, turning an everyday restaurant visit into an occasion for nostalgia.
How to Get the Mini Radio and When the Promo Ends
Unlike previous practices, this time the mini radios are not distributed for free with the children's meal. They can be purchased for an additional fee with certain combo meals: McMenü, McCafé Duo Grande, or the Duo Grande breakfast. The promotion will run until November 24, 2026, in participating locations or while supplies last. Currently, the collection is only available in Germany; the company has not announced the launch of a similar campaign in other countries.
Audience Reaction
Judging by social media posts, the novelty has already sparked a notable response. On Threads, users are actively sharing photos of the collectible mini radios: showing different versions of the devices, demonstrating their design, and sharing the music tracks that play when the button is pressed. According to reports, the novelty has generated particular interest among those who feel nostalgic for 2000s pop music, confirming the effectiveness of the company's chosen nostalgic strategy.
