The FIFA World Cup goes to McDonald’s with two integrated retail campaigns supported by tms

To make McDonald’s a destination for tournament fandom during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ promotion, tms supported two integrated retail campaigns – The FIFA World Cup Meal and The FIFA x Squishmallows Happy Meal. These creative, fan-forward platforms turned mealtime into a collectible, culturally relevant experience for Gen Z and Gen A alike.
Turning everyday purchases into collectible experiences
The FIFA World Cup Meal featured six collectible cups globally and nine cups in the U.S. sourced by tms to invite repeat engagement. Each cup spotlights standout World Cup talent from the past and present – including David Beckham, Lamine Yamal, and more. Outside the choice of a 10-piece McNuggets with a limited-time Big Mac dipping sauce or Big Mac meal, the platform extended into breakfast with options including a Sausage Egg McMuffin or biscuit.
Alongside this campaign, tms facilitated a partnership between Jazwares and McDonald’s to support the introduction of a family-friendly collectible platform rooted in the idea that there’s a McDonald’s fan in everyone. We collaborated with McDonald’s and Squishmallows to design and source a lineup of 23 Happy Meal toys including core characters and mascots – availability varies by market.



Packaging and retail experience
Across both programs, tms helped shape how the campaigns came to life at retail to build visibility and excitement. For the FIFA World Cup Meal, tms’ embedded packaging agency Boxer Brand Design designed elements such as a golden fry box – a packaging item that is rarely modified – along with bundle boxes and sauce lids.
For FIFA x Squishmallows Happy Meal, tms supported a full retail kit including retail signage, a Happy Meal box featuring a goal and ball perforations, plus extras like soccer court table decals that enhanced the in-restaurant experience.



Extending engagement through digital gamification
The Happy Meal extended play beyond the initial purchase with an interactive digital game that invited fans to create their own team of Squishmallows soccer stars and score goals. The experience connected physical collectibles with digital engagement in a simple, intuitive format that appeals to Gen A audiences’ love of gaming.



To bring both programs to life, tms leveraged our expertise across promotional product, packaging, and retail to create an experience that went beyond the meals themselves. Get in touch to see how we can support your next launch.
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tms reimagines Monopoly at McDonald’s in Spain with the new ‘MONI MONI MONI’ promotion

McDonald’s is launching the latest reinvention of its hugely popular Monopoly promotion for customers in Spain, giving players an entirely new way to play and choose the prizes they really want.
Created by tms and McDonald’s long-term partner, the new MONI MONI MONI Monopoly at McDonald’s promotion swaps the goal of collecting properties with currency, which can be banked in the McDonald’s app for the chance to win prizes.

From 21 July to 31 August, McDonald’s promotional packaging will feature game pieces, which when peeled, will reveal either an Instant Win prize or a denomination of MONI.
Once customers have banked enough MONI in their accounts, they can use it to “buy” a prize of their choosing – with new prizes dropping weekly.
Monopoly at McDonald’s is something that consistently delivers results for us – but that doesn’t mean we should rest on our laurels. We love the way tms has transformed our iconic crossover promotion into the ‘ultimate collab’ to maximize the cultural hype and buy-in for customers. With this new mechanic, we hope customers are encouraged more than ever to come into restaurants and participate in this amazing promotion.
tms hit on the idea of collecting money because of the feel-good factor that comes from holding a crisp pile of Monopoly notes in your hand, while the ‘MONI’ name is inspired by Spanish speakers’ playful adoption of the English word ‘money’.
The Monopoly note is at the heart of the retail experience and promotional visuals, with tms reimagining it as a McDonald’s X Monopoly collaboration note as well as carrying the colourful designs across cold drink cups, McFlurry packaging and point-of-sale.
Ben Parsons, Executive Creative Director at tms, said: “At its heart, this was about capturing the thrill of having money to play with. We brought that to life through bold vibrant visuals, cheerful collab moments and a prize pool packed with choice. That iconic stack of Monopoly cash instantly unlocks a sense of excitement, and by putting customers in the driving seat of their prizes, we’ve made winning feel even more fun. MONI MONI MONI is where McDonald’s generous, playful spirit meets the pure joy of Monopoly.”

tms also negotiated all the prizes and collaborated with the local agencies to develop the digital experience and retail activation. Among the prizes MONI can be used to “buy”, are headphones, speakers, paddleboards as well as holidays and a year’s free car rental.
See how tms has previously supported the global promotions, including Monopoly at McDonald’s return to the US.
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McDonald’s | A Minecraft Movie Meal

Opportunity
To captivate the attention of younger generations, tms sought to partner McDonald’s with a brand that would resonate culturally with both adult customers and Happy Meal fans – enter Minecraft. Timed with the release of A Minecraft Movie, tms built the partnership on the insight that gamified experiences strongly appeal to Gen Z and Gen A, making Minecraft’s global fandom a powerful connection spanning across both generations.

Approach
tms supported the end-to-end development of both campaigns through a captivating visual identity, exclusive toy offerings, unique packaging, and an immersive retail and digital experience – creating moments of joy at every touchpoint.
Leaning into the power of collectability, tms designed and sourced six exclusive Movie Meal collectibles, inspired by McDonald’s most beloved characters, while A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal featured six Blockhead or Block World character toys from the movie and game.
We translated the Minecraft universe at retail by transforming the restaurant into an extension of the experience across spaces such as the drive-thru, front counter, kiosks, and dining areas. Designed for more than 100 global markets, the retail kit enabled teams to adapt elements locally while maintaining a consistent campaign experience to encourage discovery and reinforce the collectability of the promotion.
tms designed and sourced the packaging for both programs, including a golden, blockified treasure chest for the Minecraft Movie Meal – seamlessly combining McDonald’s and Minecraft’s brand identities. To bring the iconic movie characters to life, we sourced three variations of Sheep, Bee, and Creeper Happy Meal boxes.
To extend the meal into Minecraft’s digital gaming world, customers could scan their collectible toy to unlock an exclusive McDonald’s in-game skin in their Minecraft account. For the Happy Meal, tms created a digital treasure chest quest experience which follows the storyline of A Minecraft Movie.





Outcome
Restaurant Business Online reports that McDonald’s 2025 Minecraft Meal drove sales, revenue, and foot traffic across the globe – marking their best quarter since 2023. Both campaigns generated global fandom and excitement around the promotion, surpassing targets and even selling out in some markets.
These programs demonstrated that one partnership can drive multiple customer journeys simultaneously. Rather than creating separate campaigns for kids and adults, McDonald’s gave each audience a tailored way to engage with the same fandom, creating more reasons to visit across generations.
That impact starts with the right partnership – tms connected McDonald’s with Minecraft’s global fanbase of 160M players and translated fandom into a retail experience people showed up for. It’s what we do: build brand partnerships and retail experiences that drive real business outcomes – growth you can see in-store and beyond.
Let’s talk about what we could build together – get in touch.

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Highlights from McDonald’s Worldwide Convention 2026

McDonald’s Worldwide Convention 2026 brought together franchisees, suppliers, and partners from across the globe for a week of collaboration, innovation, and celebration.
Throughout the week, tms colleagues were on hand to showcase new programs, share ideas, and connect with members of the McDonald’s System. From FIFA World Cup 2026™ activations and sustainability innovations to award-winning work and fan experiences, WW26 was packed with memorable moments.
Bringing the FIFA World Cup to life
With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ just around the corner, Convention provided an exciting opportunity to showcase some of the programs set to engage fans around the world.
From the World Cup Meal featuring collector’s cups and golden packaging to a global Happy Meal program spotlighting FIFA and Squishmallows, tms helped bring the excitement of the tournament to life on the Convention floor.


Sustained Circular
tms showcased the Sustained Circular pilot program on the WW26 floor, demonstrating an innovative recycling system that turns used cups into new ones. From the in-restaurant collection receptacle through to the full “cup loop” journey, the experience demonstrated how materials can remain in circulation rather than ending up in landfill.
The concept brought to life how we work with partners to rethink recycling systems and help make sustainable innovation achievable at scale.
Recognized for impact
WW26 also provided a moment to celebrate the work of our teams.
During Convention, tms received the Supplier Sustainability Impact Award and was recognized alongside HAVI with the Global Community and Inclusion Award.
These recognitions reflect the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of teams working to advance sustainability, packaging innovation and inclusion across the McDonald’s system.

Creating experiences fans love
The McDonald’s Fan Store once again proved to be a Convention favorite.
Supported by tms, the Fan Store gave attendees access to exclusive merchandise while showcasing the creativity, collaboration, and operational expertise required to bring the experience to life.
Attendees also got a behind-the-scenes look at tms’ role in developing the FIFA World Cup showcase, highlighting how global programs are brought from concept to execution.

Exploring the future of play
Another standout feature on the Convention floor was the Play Portals.
Originally developed as an exploration into the future of play, the concept evolved into a fully realized activation that demonstrated how restaurants can integrate play into the guest experience, creating more engaging, meaningful moments for families and younger guests.

As Worldwide Convention 2026 ended, we were proud to celebrate the partnerships, innovations, and achievements that made the week so memorable. Thank you to McDonald’s for bringing the global System together once again, and to everyone who helped make WW26 a success.
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McDonald’s and tms partner with Netflix for the Stranger Things: Tales of ’85 Happy Meal

McDonald’s is stepping into the world of Stranger Things for its latest Happy Meal, inviting fans to help “save McDonald’s” from the Tales of ’85 monsters. tms secured a partnership between McDonald’s and Netflix to bring the world of Hawkins into restaurants across the globe – from toy development to retail execution and digital gameplay, tms created an immersive end-to-end experience built for kids, families, and longtime fans alike.
The heart of the campaign was centered around a simple fan truth: “McDonald’s is where I get to take charge” – that idea became the creative backbone of the campaign, where young fans are invited to take charge, fend off monsters, and become the heroes of the story.
The Stranger Things: Tales of ’85 Happy Meal shows what’s possible when the power of technology, marketing, and sourcing are combined. By bringing together two iconic IPs, in-restaurant storytelling, toy design, and digital gameplay, tms partnered with McDonald’s and Netflix to create a fully connected experience – one that puts fans in control and brings Stranger Things to life on a global scale.
Toy development
tms designed and sourced a 12-toy lineup for the Happy Meal – inspired by iconic Stranger Things and McDonald’s locations and characters. From Hawkins Middle School and Hopper’s Cabin to the Palace Arcade and the Drive-Thru, each toy paired a familiar setting with a fan-favorite character. In select markets, offerings also include a Stranger Things book and activity packet, giving families even more ways to play.

Retail experience
tms led the retail development and in-store experience, taking a bold visual approach rooted in Stranger Things’ signature colors, textures, and creeping vine motif. Window decals, animated screens, drive-thru elements, and retail posters transformed restaurants into portals to the Stranger Things world.
tms also designed the packaging for this promotion, carrying the vines over to the Happy Meal box and featuring the full cast member lineup.

Digital game experience
The adventure extended beyond retail into the app with the digital gameplay – by scanning a QR code on the Happy Meal box or toy, kids could choose a character, battle creatures across three themed levels, and ultimately save McDonald’s. The experience reinforced the campaign’s core message: fans are in control.
Learn how we have previously supported global campaigns for McDonald’s, such as the Minecraft Meal. Interested in learning more about tms’ holistic marketing solutions, or how we can help your brand harness the power of partnerships? Get in touch.
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tms supports packaging and retail experience for McDonald’s new beverage launch

Drinks are taking center stage at McDonald’s with the expansion of its beverage line, establishing the brand as a beverage destination for customers. First rolling out in the US and Canada on May 6, the line will then expand to additional global markets throughout 2026. The launch is supported by tms, who led the end-to-end retail experience and packaging sourcing across McDonald’s.
The program introduces six new McCafé Specialty Beverages, supported by a fully integrated retail experience. New flavors include an array of Refreshers and Crafted Sodas, such as the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Sprite® Berry Blast, Dirty Dr Pepper®, Mango Pineapple Refresher, and more.
tms worked closely with McDonald’s to translate beverage innovation into a cohesive retail experience built to capture attention, simplify choice, and drive incremental purchase at the point of order through captivating visuals at every touchpoint – including the menu boards, drive-thru, and retail signage.
tms leveraged consumer insights to create an intuitive retail experience that helped establish McDonald’s as a beverage destination, setting a foundation that supports future innovation for this category.
Working from the belief that taste is the experience of flavor, tms partnered with McDonald’s to develop packaging that elevates perception at every interaction. Rather than serving as a simple container, all beverage packaging was designed to be clear, acting as an experiential driver and allowing for “Instagrammable” customer moments.
tms also led the design of the end-to-end customer journey, ensuring the product translated clearly and effectively at the point of order. Drawing on consumer and eye‑tracking research, the team developed a structured communications hierarchy that simplifies choice while maintaining visual impact throughout restaurants.
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Beyond the immediate launch, the beverage platform is designed as a long-term growth engine. The strategy supports future innovation and partner beverages while maintaining consistency across markets and dayparts.
“This beverage launch exemplifies the power of a connected tms, uniting marketing and sourcing to deliver a strategy that was both creatively compelling and executable at scale. By aligning consumer research, taste–led storytelling, and system-ready solutions, we helped McDonald’s build a sustainable, always-on beverage platform,” said Jon Beach, Sr. Director, Global Packaging Innovation & Growth at tms.
Interested in learning how tms can support your brand’s retail experience or packaging needs? Get in touch.
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Highlights from the European Packaging Supplier Forum 2026

tms recently hosted the European Packaging Supplier Forum in Amsterdam, bringing together packaging suppliers and McDonald’s partners from across Europe for two days of collaboration, insight-sharing, and strategic alignment. Held under the theme “Powering the Customer Experience, Together,” the forum focused on strengthening partnerships across the packaging supply chain.
The event created a platform for open dialogue across the packaging ecosystem, with sessions focused on strengthening partnerships, exploring innovation opportunities, and reinforcing the critical role suppliers play in delivering consistent, high-quality packaging experiences for customers.
As the organizer and facilitator of the forum, tms brought together leaders from across the supply chain to encourage knowledge sharing and cross-functional collaboration. Through presentations, workshops, and networking sessions, attendees explored ways to drive operational excellence, advance sustainability priorities, and identify new opportunities for innovation across the packaging landscape.
The forum also included a Supplier Recognition Awards dinner, celebrating partners whose contributions continue to support performance and progress across the system.
By convening suppliers and stakeholders in one place, the European Supplier Forum demonstrates how collaboration across the supply chain can unlock new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and support continued progress in packaging innovation.
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The Friends Meal arrived at McDonald’s UK with support from tms

What happens after you buy a Friends Meal at UK McDonald’s this February? A fantastic tms-led post-purchase prize draw that turns fandom into repeat engagement!
Not only do customers who purchase a Friends Meal receive a collectible figurine, but they’re also invited to enter a prize draw for the chance to win something seriously special: a limited-edition set of four Friends mugs.
To enter, customers must complete a one-time email entry form after the first qualifying purchase – to enter again and increase their chances of winning, they just need to purchase another Friends Meal.
This promotion has been designed to reward loyalty while keeping the experience simple, seamless, and scalable.
Collaborating with the iconic franchise Friends allowed McDonald’s to tap into a whole new fandom – by creating a user-friendly digital experience and sourcing limited-edition collectibles, tms helped drive brand loyalty through memorable, repeat-worthy moments.
By shifting the excitement beyond the transaction, this campaign shows how post-purchase moments can drive sustained engagement and keep fans coming back for more.
Alongside the promotional mechanic, tms also managed the production of the collectible figurines and oversaw the licensor management for this campaign.
Learn how we have previously supported campaigns for McDonald’s to drive brand loyalty and engagement, such as Monopoly US.

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tms powers the digital experience for McDonald’s CARDS: a new collect to win experience

Eat. Collect. Win. McDonald’s CARDS launches on March 17 in the UK. The brand combined nostalgic culture to bring customers a one-of-a-kind promotion, celebrating a lifetime of McDonald’s memories.
From March 17, 2026, McDonald’s is giving fans the opportunity to collect and win when they purchase a CARDS Meal, receiving their very own pack of four CARDS designed to spark joy and excite fans. Each pack contains free food, and customers can then enter their CARDS codes into the McDonald’s app to complete sets and unlock exclusive prizes.
To support the launch of McDonald’s new game, tms combined physical game cards, digital innovation, and exclusive prizes to create a unique customer experience. Our scope enabled customers to enter, collect, and redeem seamlessly across channels, while fueling campaign excitement.



As lead digital partner, tms worked across UX, UI, design, motion, and front and back-end development to deliver a digital experience around the physical collection of CARDS in restaurant. The in-app journey sparks joy and excitement through a seamless CARDS collecting experience. Built around a sleek, elevated, and inherently premium design system, tms delivered interactive 3D cards and celebratory animations that create a richer digital environment for McDonald’s customers, keeping them coming back for more.
Whether it’s unlocking free food in every pack, chasing the rare Ronald Card, or completing a full set, the in-app experience is designed to be surprising, rewarding, and something customers will want to come back for.
tms was also responsible for the campaign prize pool, tapping into customer culture to create simple and joyous rewards for customers, ranging from cash prizes to an exclusive range of limited-edition CARDS T-shirts. tms also produced exclusive CARDS binders and tins, that will be available to buy at selected McDonald’s restaurants.
To play, customers must order a qualifying CARDS Meal to receive a pack of four cards, with free food in every pack. They can then collect cards in the app for the chance to complete sets and win prizes – from cash to merch to a free medium McDonald’s meal a week for a year. Plus, the ultra-rare Ronald Card is up for grabs, with just 10 in existence, worth £10,000 each!
tms delivered this campaign with our agency partners, Leo UK, OMD, Red, Linney and TMW. The promotion runs for six weeks, until April 27, 2026.
Read more about the promotion on Campaign UK.
Learn about other gamified experiences we’ve created with McDonald’s UK, like Side Missions.
18+. For T&Cs (inc. prize details), see mcdrules.co.uk.
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McDonald’s and tms go stratospheric with new Crayola Planet McDonald’s Happy Meal collab

A new partnership between McDonald’s and Crayola, facilitated by creative consulting agency tms, is filling the world with creativity – one Happy Meal at a time.
Launching March 6 in the UK, The Crayola “Planet McDonald’s” Happy Meal boosts fans into an epic adventure set in a new galaxy of color and imagination, filled with toys built for play.
Happy Meal customers can fuel their creative juices with a line-up of 10 space-themed toy sets, designed and sourced by tms in partnership with Crayola – available in participating markets. The toy range includes Crayola pencils, spiral art packs, activity coloring books, glow-in-the-dark posters, rubbing stations, stencil art, and activity figures – all based on the themes of astronauts, rockets, and aliens.

Each Happy Meal allows fans to tap into their natural creativity, particularly Gen A, in a promotion that encourages them to let their imaginations run wild and as they enter their very own “Planet McDonalds.” The immersive retail experience also runs alongside digital gameplay, accessed via a code on the Happy Meal box or toy in participating markets.

The new “customize and color” digital adventure leverages the power of play by inviting everyone to explore unknown galaxies and add their personality to new, alien worlds. Users will find themselves jumping into a turbo charged spaceship and whizzing through cosmic neighborhoods, hovering over astronauts smiling on the moon, and soaring to glowing planets bursting with playful aliens.
tms’ digital experience takes flight with an intro video before inviting users to choose a space-themed toy and travel with it to different planets. Whichever planet they land on, they will be able to tap into their creativity and color the scene before watching their characters come to life.
Partnering with Crayola and tms has allowed us to take creativity to new heights. Together, we’ve built an experience that goes beyond the Happy Meal – combining imaginative toys with a digital adventure that lets kids explore and color their own galaxies. It’s a perfect example of how collaboration can spark joy and inspire the next generation.
The above-the-line creative assets, led by Leo Burnett, imagines McDonald’s in space, capturing the essence of children’s illustrations and imaginations within an exciting and whimsical space world. tms is leading on strategy, digital and retail experience, toy production, and the licensor partnership.
Jessica Booth, Account Director at tms said: “The new space-themed world is packed with fresh ideas for young minds to help them fill the universe with creativity. Working with McDonald’s and Crayola, our promotion is bringing new worlds to life in a way that will inspire our audience to take their imagination to the next level.”
The promotion at McDonald’s runs in the UK from March 6 to March 23 and later breaks in other global markets.
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