Fast-food behemoth McDonald’s Corp. (MCD, Financial) is set to unwrap some special gifts for fans in the run-up to Christmas -- including pop star Mariah Carey.
McDonald’s’ Mariah Menu hits stores on Dec. 13, the kick-off for what the global chain is calling “12 Days of Deals” on the McDonald’s app. Also waiting in the wings are exclusive Mariah and McDonald’s merchandise and a festive TV commercial that chain marketing executives hope will have consumers “dancing and singing all the way to your local McDonald’s.”
“To bring even more holiday cheer to the Mariah Menu, we're decking out fans and celebrating Mariah’s longtime love of the Golden Arches with exclusive beanies and t-shirts,” the Chicago-based company explained in a release.
On Dec. 15 and 21, consumers can simply redeem the Mariah Menu deal – a bakery item and sausage McMuffin with egg, respectively – through mobile order and pay with a $1 minimum purchase, and be one of the first approximately 10,000 people to claim the special merch item for that day.
The beanie (being offered Dec. 15) features Carey’s iconic signature, while the t-shirt (on Dec. 21) includes a throwback photo of Mariah enjoying her go-to McDonald’s order – a cheeseburger with extra pickles.
"Just like so many of my fans, I have such amazing memories with McDonald’s over the years. I always get a sense of nostalgia when I see the Golden Arches, so creating throwback merch with one of my favorite photos from the 90s was really fun for me,” Carey said in the release.
The chain’s newest TV commercial, set to premier in prime time, blends McDonald’s and Carey’s worlds to the sound of her popular holiday anthem, “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
Customers can order the Mariah Menu in the U.S. starting on Dec. 13, featuring a different free item each day with a $1 minimum purchase on the McDonald’s app. To access the daily deals, they can simply download the McDonald’s app and visit the deals section to add to their order. The program is available only at participating locations.
McDonald’s serves nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of the chain's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated.
The company also unveiled a gift for potential franchise owners from underrepresented communities – and scored some major publicity points in the wake of nearly two years of accusations of racial discrimination by dozens of black former and current franchise owners -- with an initiative that will offer millions in financing to help those who struggle to get funding. Executives said they would dedicate $250 million over five years to help potential franchisees in the U.S. who have difficulty getting funding from other sources to buy a McDonald's restaurant.
"Upfront entry costs are a barrier to entry for many entrepreneurs who may have limited access to capital,'' President ant CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a recent message to employees. "This barrier may be particularly felt by candidates from different backgrounds, including from historically underrepresented groups. To address the issue, we will seek to reduce upfront equity requirements for eligible franchisee candidates.''
