McDonald’s partners with BTS again for a global TinyTAN Happy Meal, complete with collectible figures, special Gold Sauce, and a fan event in LA.
BTS and McDonald’s are back with a global Happy Meal collaboration that’s set to spark another wave of fan frenzy. The new BTS TinyTAN Happy Meal, available since 3rd September 2025, features exclusive toys, interactive packaging, and even a brand-new dipping sauce. This marks the first global release of BTS-themed Happy Meal toys, following the runaway success of their 2021 BTS Meal.
Official Announcement and Release
McDonald’s officially revealed the BTS TinyTAN Happy Meal on August 19, 2025. The collaboration officially launched on September 3, 2025, and will remain in effect for a limited time. While the meal launched across the U.S. on this date, launch dates may differ in other markets.
What’s Inside the BTS TinyTAN Happy Meal?
Each Happy Meal comes with one of seven TinyTAN figurines, featuring BTS members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. The toys come in two collectible sets:
- Throwback Edition (September 3): Characters in outfits from the 2021 BTS Meal promo.
- Encore Edition (September 23): New outfits marking the second BTS x McDonald’s partnership.
The meal includes the usual Happy Meal options, Hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, side, drink, and dessert, plus a new Special Edition Gold Sauce, described as a tangy North Carolina BBQ blend with honey, smoke, and mustard.
The Happy Meal box itself is interactive, with a scannable code unlocking the “TinyTAN Power Up” game on HappyMeal.com, where the characters cheer fans on as they sing along to BTS tracks.
Exclusive Magic Meetup Event in LA
McDonald’s is also hosting a “Magic Meetup” event in Los Angeles (Sept 27–28, 2025) at nya West. Billed as an “immersive, multisensory experience filled with music and Happy Meal magic,” it’s designed to deepen fan engagement. More details will be revealed closer to the event.
Why McDonald’s Partnered with BTS Again?
This collaboration builds directly on McDonald’s 2021 BTS Meal, one of the brand’s most successful campaigns in recent history.
Leveraging Past Success (2021 BTS Meal)
This latest partnership is a strategic move, building on the phenomenal success of the initial BTS x McDonald’s collaboration in 2021. The first “BTS Meal” featured a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium Fries, a medium Coke, and two unique dipping sauces, Sweet Chili and Cajun, inspired by recipes from McDonald’s South Korea. This offering proved to be an “instant hit”.
The impact of the 2021 meal on McDonald’s business was profound:
- Meal packaging became a sought-after item, reselling on platforms like eBay.
- A Chicken McNugget, notable for its resemblance to an Among Us crewmate, sold for an astonishing almost $100,000 USD.
- McDonald’s global sales rose 40% in Q2 2021, with the BTS Meal contributing significantly to that growth.
Fans have since campaigned for BTS-themed Happy Meal toys. McDonald’s answered by choosing TinyTAN, BTS’s animated alter egos introduced in 2019, for its first global toy release. Previously, McDonald’s had offered BTS’s BT21 characters, but only in select Asian markets.
BTS Meal Comparison: 2021 vs 2025 TinyTAN Happy Meal
| Feature / Element | 2021 BTS Meal | 2025 TinyTAN Happy Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Timeline | May 26 – Jun 20, 2021 (in ~50 countries) | Announced Aug 19; launched Sept 3 (Throwback) and Sept 23 (Encore) |
| Contents | 10-pc Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, coke, Sweet Chili & Cajun sauces | Hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, side, drink, dessert, and Gold Sauce |
| Toy / Packaging | Iconic purple packaging (collectible); no toys | Seven TinyTAN figurines (two editions), interactive packaging |
| Sales Impact | Q2 2021 global same-store sales ↑40.5 % YoY; revenue ↑57% | Yet to be quantified; high fan anticipation and expected rapid sellouts |
| Additional Engagement | Chicken McNuggets sales in S. Korea ↑250% first 4 weeks | “TinyTAN Power Up” game via scannable code; Magic Meetup event in LA |
| Global Availability | ~50 countries | 66 countries (as per initial draft) — to be confirmed or refined |
| Cultural Milestone | A pioneering K-pop fast-food collab that drove sales and buzz | Builds on legacy with new interactive and collectible layers |
Strategic Timing and Marketing
The timing of this collaboration is highly strategic, coinciding with significant developments for BTS. The group reunited in June 2025, having completed their military service. Following their reunion, BTS announced plans for new music and a World Tour in 2026. This synergy creates immense hype, maximizing fan engagement and visibility for the McDonald’s partnership.
The campaign rollout has been heavily social-driven. Teasers on Instagram featured a Happy Meal box with seven figurines, sparking speculation before the official reveal. McDonald’s also unveiled the distinctive purple-themed packaging, a nod to BTS’s signature color.
Collectibility and Extended Engagement
Two toy sets, Throwback and Encore, encourage repeat visits and enhance collectibility, a smart strategy given ARMY’s history of driving resale markets for BTS merchandise. Even the Happy Meal boxes differ by edition, extending fan excitement throughout September.
Interactive elements, like the TinyTAN Power Up game, add a digital layer to the experience, keeping fans engaged long after their meal.
The Bigger Picture
This partnership is more than a meal. It’s a blueprint for global brand collaborations, showing how pop culture and fast food can merge to create viral moments and real sales impact. By tapping into BTS’s cultural resonance and ARMY’s loyalty, McDonald’s secures both business growth and cultural relevance.
With BTS’s reunion already generating worldwide buzz, the TinyTAN Happy Meal ensures McDonald’s is part of the story; proving once again that music, fandom, and fries make a winning combination.
Key Takeaways
- Global Launch: Available in 66 countries for a limited time.
- Two Editions: Throwback (Sept 3) and Encore (Sept 23), each with unique toys and packaging.
- New Gold Sauce: Limited-edition BBQ-inspired dipping sauce.
- Digital Play: Interactive TinyTAN Power Up game via scannable Happy Meal box.
- Magic Meetup: Immersive LA fan event, Sept 27–28.
- Proven Strategy: Builds on 2021 BTS Meal, which fueled a 40% global sales surge.
- Cultural Impact: Reinforces McDonald’s relevance by listening to ARMY and tapping into BTS’s comeback hype.
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