McDonald’s has been a staple in the fast-food industry since 1940, but it wasn’t until the late 1970s that the iconic Happy Meal made its debut. This was largely in response to Burger Chef, a now-defunct competitor that attracted families with toy offerings. Bob Bernstein, an advertising executive involved in creating the Happy Meal, reflected on this shift in a CNN interview, stating, “We were losing our endorsement of the kids. We wanted to reestablish ourselves with kids and the family and say we were kid friendly.”
Bernstein’s inspiration struck when he observed his son captivated by cereal boxes during breakfast. This insight led to the creation of the first-ever Happy Meal box in 1977, which contained a burger, fries, cookies, a soda, and a small toy. The box itself was adorned with comics, puzzles, and games, as Bernstein recognized that “kids want something to do when they eat.”
Initially, Happy Meals were only available in select franchises in Kansas City, Denver, and Phoenix, as other markets were hesitant to adopt the concept. However, by 1979, after a year of successful trials, Happy Meals went national, leading to a surge in the popularity of the accompanying toys.
Fast forward to today, and McDonald’s is synonymous with kid-friendly branding, including those beloved toys that many of us cherished in our childhood. If you happen to hold onto any of those McDonald’s toys, you might be surprised to learn that some are actually quite valuable. Below, we’ll explore some of the most sought-after collectibles.
McDonaldland ’70s Plush Toys
While McDonald’s officially rolled out the Happy Meal in 1979, they had previously introduced toys based on characters from their advertising campaigns in the ’70s. This led to the creation of a whimsical world featuring Ronald McDonald and his friends, with characters like the Hamburglar, Officer Big Mac, and Mayor McCheese gaining popularity through commercials.
Some of these toys have become quite valuable in the collector’s market. For instance, a rubber Mayor McCheese toy was recently auctioned on eBay for $330, although most sell for between $50 and $70. Additionally, a plush set featuring Mayor McCheese and Officer Big Mac recently fetched over $225. The rarity of these characters, as their appearances in commercials ceased in the 1980s, likely contributes to their high value.
Dukes of Hazzard Cars
In 1979, the television show “The Dukes of Hazzard” took the world by storm and continued its run until 1985. McDonald’s seized this opportunity by featuring toys inspired by the show in their Happy Meals, including replicas of iconic vehicles like the General Lee, a classic 1969 Dodge Charger. These toys even came with customizable stickers, including a controversial Confederate flag sticker.
Today, these Happy Meal toys are highly sought after by collectors. A complete set has been known to sell for over $350, with individual General Lee toys fetching around $250. The appeal of these toys, particularly the General Lee, is heightened by the inclusion of the Confederate flag sticker, which has become a significant part of the show’s contentious legacy, leading to its removal from TV Land in 2015. Other toys from the series, such as Boss Hogg’s Cadillac and Daisy Duke’s Jeep, have also sold for prices ranging from $83 to $115.
In 1983, McDonald’s expanded its offerings with the introduction of McNuggets, which led to a popular line of toys dubbed McNugget Buddies in Happy Meals. These toys, featuring removable outfits, captivated children until their discontinuation in 1996. Recently, McDonald’s even revived adult Happy Meals featuring limited-edition McNugget Buddies.
Complete sets of McNugget Buddies can command impressive prices on platforms like eBay. Early 1990s sets have been sold for around $112, while unopened sets can range from $100 to $250. Some original packaging sets have even sold for over $200.
In the 1980s, McDonald’s also launched Changeables toys, inspired by the immensely popular Transformers franchise. These toys, which could morph from beloved menu items into robots, delighted children and collectors alike. McDonald’s capitalized on the trend by introducing their version, Changeables, which drew inspiration from their classic menu items.
If you happen to have any Changeables tucked away from the 1980s, you might be pleasantly surprised. A complete, unopened set recently sold for over $400 on eBay, with most collections typically going for $100 to $150.
By the late 1990s, owning a Furby was a guaranteed way to gain popularity among peers. In 1999, McDonald’s released a series of 80 McFurbys in various colors, which have now become highly sought-after collectibles. A complete set of McFurbys recently sold for about $150, while smaller collections can range from $1 to $25.
In 1986, McDonald’s introduced the beloved Boo Buckets, featuring characters like the orange McPunk’n, the white McBoo, and the green McGoblin. These buckets quickly became a Halloween favorite for Millennials, making trick-or-treating exciting. A complete collection from 1990 recently sold for around $150 on eBay, while a lot of 17 from 1986 went for $200. Each Boo Bucket features three unique facial expressions, adding to their charm and collectability. Even a small set of Boo Buckets can sell for between $50 and $100.
While McDonald’s has tried to reintroduce some of these toys in recent years, the original versions from the ’80s and ’90s still hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and continue to appreciate in value. So if you find yourself in possession of any vintage McDonald’s toys, you might just be sitting on a hidden treasure.
“Her enthusiasm for the project was infectious.”
She exuded a contagious passion for the project.
