Restaurant India News: McDonald’s India Merry Meal Campaign Moves 1,50,000 Socks in Five Days

McDonald’s India witnessed a sharp spike in demand during its recent Merry Meal campaign, with Mumbai emerging as the fastest-selling market, followed closely by Ahmedabad. The limited-edition Santa socks introduced as part of the festive offering recorded sales of 1,50,000 units within just five days, highlighting the speed at which consumer interest converted into purchases.

The momentum around the socks was largely consumer-driven. Over 200+ organic social media reels featuring the socks surfaced across platforms, contributing to heightened visibility and urgency. Some consumers went beyond sharing content, recreating their own versions of the socks and wearing lookalike designs to participate in the trend.

The response was supported by a shift in communication strategy. Instead of a conventional festive brand film, the company released a lifestyle-led film designed to resonate with Gen Z audiences and contemporary content consumption habits. The approach positioned the Merry Meal as a cultural moment rather than a traditional promotional campaign, encouraging sharing and peer-led discovery.

The Santa socks were introduced as a limited-edition collectible under the Merry Meal, available in two festive designs. The initiative builds on McDonald’s long-standing practice of offering toys, novelties, and seasonal collectibles, extending that legacy into wearable merchandise that consumers could keep, exchange, or add to existing memorabilia collections.

Lavdeep Walia, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, McDonald’s India (W&S), said, “For decades, we have been part of countless family moments. The Merry Meal was designed to bring families and friends together over great food, festive fun and a little extra cheer, because nothing says celebration like a delicious meal with a surprise that warms your heart (and your feet!). This initiative was our way of strengthening everyday occasions and creating touchpoints that keep people coming together at our restaurants. Our intent is to continue shaping occasions wherein communities gather, celebrate and create memories that last beyond the meal.”

As the festive season concludes, the performance of the Merry Meal socks campaign underlines how limited-edition products, combined with culturally aligned storytelling and organic consumer participation, can create measurable impact for large-format QSR brands.