Dedicated fans of McDonald’s have been racing to Italy where the fast food chain has begun a new promotion. Many are heading overseas to be a part of it and posting the results online
Whilst many fans of McDonald’s collect the fast food chain’s merchandise – most commonly Happy Meal toys – occasionally the company embarks on other promotions to attract customers. For some, that’s meant travelling to Italy just to get their hands on some new ‘Maccies’ goods.
Just as it did last year, McDonald’s in Italy has launched a new adult meal campaign where the toy has been replaced by something much different – a beach towel. One person who travelled across Europe especially took to TikTok to document her adventure. “POV [point of view] You go to Italy to get the McDonald’s towel,” Leonie penned in a caption alongside her video.
After entering the restaurant, Leonie could be seen heading straight to the touchscreen ordering system, where she picked out the “nuovi teli mare” [new beach towels] option.
“Hoping for the ice cream or the burger,” she continued. Indeed the McDonald’s Italy website reveals there are four towels in the range, featuring a Big Mac, a drink, fries and a McFlurry ice cream.
However, after opening her paper bag, she was disappointed to realise she’d been given the drink version. “Not the freaking soda,” she exclaimed. Despite her modest following of just 228 on the social media platform, 1.4 million TikTok users tuned in.
Elsewhere, a second McDonald’s fan from Australia made the mammoth trip to Europe to get her hands on the coveted merch. “I travelled all the way to Italy to secure a McDonald’s beach towel,” confirmed Ana in a clip, which has also been viewed 1.4 million times.
Her grand reveal saw her become the proud owner of the fries design, meanwhile, as she Ana pointed out she was actually in Sardinia rather than the Italian mainland.
Writing in response, one TikTok user quipped: “This is actually really dangerous because now we’ve all had to book flights to Italy to get a McDonald’s beach towel.”
A second replied: “What! I’m going to Italy on Monday. I’m gonna go to McDonald’s.”
A third person praised: “I literally told my parents all about it and we are in Italy right now and we drove to McDonald’s and my parents are getting me one.”
Whilst a fourth joked: “The only thing my six-year old enjoyed in Italy.”
And in response to questions from other intrigued McDonald’s lovers, Ana explained: “You have to order specific meals! There is an option at those kiosks that tell you which ones you need to order to get the towel.”
If you’re tempted to travel to Italy to snap one up for yourself, be wary that McDonald’s Italia says of the promotion: “Offer valid at participating McDonald’s locations. While supplies last. Purchase of a Large McMenu or Happy Meal includes a Beach Towel.
“Check prices at participating McDonald’s locations. Beach towels cannot be sold separately. You cannot choose the design of your beach towel.”