Pokémon Cards Drive Japanese Fast Food Sales
McDonald’s Pokémon Promotion Ends in Food Waste Crisis in Japan
Table of Contents
Published August 19, 2025
A Promotion Gone Wrong
A recent McDonald’s promotion in Japan, offering Pokémon collector cards with Happy Meals, ended abruptly after just a few hours due to overwhelming demand and a surprising consequence: massive food waste. The promotion, launched on the second weekend of August, quickly spiraled as customers prioritized acquiring the cards over consuming the food, leading to scenes of discarded meals both inside and outside restaurants, as reported by CNN.
The Rise of Resale and Public Outcry
The popularity of Pokémon in Japan is well-established, but the frenzy surrounding these Happy Meals was amplified by the potential for financial gain. While a Happy Meal typically costs around 74 crowns, the collectible cards quickly appeared on online marketplaces, with some listings reaching prices as high as 600 crowns.This incentivized bulk purchases, with individuals acquiring multiple meals solely for the cards, discarding the food in the process.The resulting piles of unopened food and drinks sparked widespread criticism in a country renowned for its cleanliness and aversion to waste.
McDonald’s Response and Apology
Faced with mounting public disapproval, McDonald’s Japan swiftly terminated the promotion in many locations. The company issued a statement expressing regret for the disruption and acknowledging the insufficient initial response. ”We regret that the distribution of Pokémon cards at Happy Meal, which was scheduled for three days from 9 to 11 August, was terminated in many stores due to higher than expected sales,” mcdonald’s Japan stated on its official website. They further emphasized their commitment to providing positive dining experiences for families and condemned the practice of purchasing Happy meals for resale, stating, “We do not tolerate the purchase of Happy meals for further sale or eating food. We take this matter seriously and recognize that our reaction was insufficient.”
Preventing Future Issues
McDonald’s Japan has announced plans to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, aiming to curb the activities of resellers and ensure that promotions are enjoyed responsibly. While specific details of these measures haven’t been fully disclosed, the company is focused on preventing the exploitation of promotions for financial gain. This situation underscores the challenges fast-food chains face when attempting to leverage popular culture trends in markets with unique consumer behaviors.