Special McDonald’s Meals Come With Friendship Bracelets

McDonald’s Canada has launched special meals for two that come with limited-edition friendship bracelets. Though McDonald’s hasn’t explicitly mentioned it, its new menu item is potentially an attempt to join in on the hype for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Known for its Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s frequently introduces new limited-time prizes for fans to collect. More often than not, the food chain collaborates with other big brands to bring exclusive merchandise to its stores. Not long ago, McDonald’s announced the return of Mario Kart toys to Happy Meals. The burger company has also created special themed meals in partnership with celebrities and video games like BTS and Pokemon. Now, McDonald’s has launched another limited meal with collectibles that may attract a certain big fandom, except it’s not exactly an official collaboration.

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On November 12, McDonald’s revealed its new shareable meal named “The Bestie Bundle” across Canadian locations. The meal is available for a limited time while supplies last. For $13 plus tax, the combo includes Junior Chicken sandwiches, two small fries, two small drinks, and two McDonald’s-themed friendship bracelets. “With the Bestie Bundle, we invite best friends everywhere to share a meal with a little something extra to remember it by,” said Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing officer of McDonald’s Canada. According to McDonald’s, the meal’s goal is to celebrate rituals and fandoms that fans are passionate about. The Bestie Bundle can be purchased in-store or through app orders. The food chain is no stranger to launching limited menu items. In October, McDonald’s introduced a Chicken Big Mac in the US for a limited time.

McDonald’s Canada Launches Friendship Bracelets as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Kicks Off

McDonald’s does not detail what fandom the Bestie Bundle means to celebrate, but the friendship bracelets are likely a reference to major pop star Taylor Swift’s fanbase. The singer’s followers, dubbed “Swifties,” began a concert tradition of exchanging bracelets with Swift’s song lyrics. Similarly, the McDonald’s friendship bracelets spell various burger references, such as “Live Laugh Big Mac” or “Share fries l8?” Considering that Swift’s Eras Tour is kicking off its Canadian leg on November 14, the Bestie Bundle is probably an attempt to tap into the Swiftie fandom. It’s not unusual for one fanbase to collide with another, and Swifties are no exception. For example, one fan recreated Taylor Swift in Baldur’s Gate 3, while another did the same in Elden Ring.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ends on December 8 with its final concert being held in Vancouver, Canada. McDonald’s has not confirmed when Bestie Bundle supplies might end, but perhaps the meal and friendship bracelets will keep restocking as long as Swift is touring the country. While the Bestie Bundle is not an official collaboration with Taylor Swift, McDonald’s has kept itself busy with several other partnerships in 2024. It was recently announced that McDonald’s is collaborating with Zenless Zone Zero in China, shortly after having launched a Genshin Impact meal in the US. Promotion for the Chicken Big Mac isn’t over either, with popular streamer Kai Cenat still holding livestreams about the McDonald’s sandwich.