Kids' meal
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The kids' meal or children's meal is a
History
One of the earliest kids' meal, Funmeal,[3] emerged at Burger Chef in 1973 and succeeded. Discerning the popularity of the kids' meal, McDonald's introduced its Happy Meal in 1978,[note 1] and other fast food corporations, including Burger King, followed suit with their own kids' meals.[5]
Some fast food corporations considered children as their "most important" customers, owing to the success of the kids' meals.[5] Their effectiveness has been ascribed to the fact that the patronage of youngsters often means the patronage of a family and to the allure of the toys, which often are in collectible series.[1] In 2006, $360 million of the expenditures of fast food corporations was for toys in kids' meals, which numbered over 1.2 billion.[5]
In recent years, the popularity of the kids' meal has receded, with a study by
Kids' meals have evolved in response to critics, offering healthier selections and greater variety.
Criticism
There have been concerns from food critics about the nutritional value of the kids' meal. A 2010 study by the
Toys being inappropriate for the target audience's age group
Legislation
In the United States, kids' meals have been blamed for ingraining unhealthy dietary habits in youngsters and augmenting
Outside the United States, Spain[26] and Brazil[27] have also considered such measures. Chile has banned toys in kids' meals altogether.[28]
See also
Notes
- ^ Burger Chef filed suit against McDonald's over the Happy Meal but lost the case.[4]
- ^ New York City;[22] Superior, Wisconsin;[23] Nebraska[24]
References
- ^ a b Bishop, Pete (20 March 1990). "Fast food meals for kids come under fire". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b Reynolds, Annette (18 February 1989). "Restaurants serve up toys for kids". State Times.
- ^ Spartos, Carla (9 September 2009). "MC in a box". New York Post. p. 2. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Whitfield (26 September 2011). "New Factor Can Lift Stock, But It Can't Be Only Factor". Investor's Business Daily. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ ISBN 9780313393945.
- ^ a b Pedicini, Sandra (22 April 2012). "There's less appetite for children's meals at restaurants". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Horovitz, Bruce (28 May 2009). "Toys may be story in kids meals' steady decline". USA Today. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b Smith, Joyce (27 June 2012). "Kids' meal orders decline as restaurants offer more healthful choices". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ Bernstein, Sharon (13 July 2011). "Restaurants to offer more-healthful fare for kids". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Christian, Ken (8 November 2010). "Study finds healthy kids' meal choices are few and far between". NBC. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "Small Soldiers, Big Controversy". E! Online. 10 July 1998. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ "Critics take aim at Burger King's 'Star Wars' meal - May. 24, 2005". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ "OT: BK toys for PG-13 Simpson's movie". The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ Olly Richards (September 1992). "Trouble in Gotham", Empire, pp. 21—23. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
- ^ Jessica Eggert (9 July 2015). "Is this McDonald's 'Minions' toy saying 'what the f*ck' or what?". Mashable. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ York, Emily Bryson (10 April 2012). "McDonald's, rivals see diminishing appeal for kids meals". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Bonisteel, Sara (28 April 2010). "Toys banned in some California fast food restaurants". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- PMID 21616202.
- ^ .
- PMID 22176847.
- ^ Park, Madison (1 December 2011). "Happy Meal toys no longer free in San Francisco". CNN. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Melnick, Meredith (6 April 2011). "New York City Council Considers Banning Happy Meal Toys". Time. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "Superior rejects ban on fast food toy". Associated Press. 8 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
- ^ "Senators reject ban on toys in Neb. kids' meals". Associated Press. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Levine, Dan; Lisa Baertlein (9 May 2011). "Fast-food lobbies U.S. states on Happy Meal laws". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
- ^ Abend, Lisa (1 December 2010). "In Spain, Taking Some Joy out of the Happy Meal". Time. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Ellsworth, Brian (15 June 2009). "Brazilian prosecutor wants to ban fast-food toys". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "Chile Bans Toys in Fast Food to Attack Child Obesity". Associated Press. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.