Classic Case Study: McDonalds Happy Meals

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Ethics, Member Activities, New Product Process, Products and Brands, Promotion, Segmentation and Positioning

This McDonald’s case study reviews their iconic and enduring Happy Meal offering. The case explores a variety of marketing concepts with a particular focus on family decision making, product bundling, brand associations, ethical considerations, and the ability to offer multiple benefits to deliver consumer value. Although it is a relatively simple product, its continued and significant market success is undeniable, making it a classic and important case study for your students.

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About The Author

Geoff Fripp

Geoff Fripp is an experienced marketing educator and practitioner with many years of expertise in teaching and industry roles. As the founder of Great Ideas for Teaching Marketing, Geoff has created over 500 activities and tools to help educators deliver engaging and practical lessons across diverse learning styles and student levels. With nearly 2,000 lectures across ten universities, including 19 years at the University of Sydney, Geoff is recognized for his practical approach to marketing education. Geoff’s industry background includes senior marketing roles at medium and large firms, as well as entrepreneurial ventures. He has authored and co-authored textbooks with Pearson Education, as well as developing more than a dozen case studies for their marketing textbooks.