Books to replace toys in Russian ‘Happy Meals’

30 Nov, 2022 10:36 / Updated 2 years ago
Re-branded McDonald’s restaurants will roll out their own version of ‘Kids Combos’ in several Russian cities

The Russian fast-food chain Vkusno i Tochka, (Just Tasty), formerly McDonald's, will begin selling versions of a 'Happy Meal' that offers books instead of toys, according to a company statement cited by business daily RBK.

The Kids Combo meal will be available in Novokuznetsk, Novosibirsk, Berdsk, Barnaul, Tomsk, Kemerovo, and Krasnoyarsk starting December 12, the company announced on Tuesday. Sales throughout the rest of the country are planned to begin in January.

The meal will include a choice of nuggets, cheese snacks, a classic burger, salad, carrot sticks, and apple slices, as well as a drink. But there will be one important change.

“As a gift, every Kids Combo set will have one of 14 exclusive books with various puzzles and mazes by the CLEVER publishing house,” the restaurant chain said, adding that books of this kind contribute to the development of children's memory, logic, and attention span.

The McDonald’s Happy Meal usually comes with a toy.

In March, McDonald’s shut its Russian outlets due to Western sanctions, having operated in the country for more than three decades. The fast-food giant later announced it was selling its restaurants in the country to one of its licensees. The chain was later rebranded Vkusno i Tochka.

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