The BTS Meal is a special collaboration between the globally renowned fast-food chain McDonald’s and the popular South Korean boy band, BTS. Launched on May 26, 2021, this meal includes a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a medium Coca-Cola, and two unique dipping sauces inspired by South Korean flavors: Sweet Chili and Cajun. This meal was not only a culinary delight but also a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.
Introduction to The BTS Meal
The BTS Meal was designed to showcase the band members’ favorite McDonald’s items. This collaboration marked McDonald’s first global celebrity meal, making it available in over 50 countries across six continents. The meal’s launch was met with immense excitement, leading to long lines and significant media coverage. Fans eagerly sought out this limited-time offering, not just for the food but also for the exclusive packaging featuring BTS branding.
Availability of The BTS Meal
The BTS Meal was available in various formats depending on the region. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where you could originally purchase the BTS Meal:
United States: The meal was available starting May 26, 2021.
Canada: Launched simultaneously with the U.S., Canadian fans could enjoy the meal from day one.
Australia: Available from May 27, 2021.
South Korea: The home country of BTS had the meal available from May 27, 2021.
Europe: Various countries including Austria, Belgium, and Germany saw the launch on May 26 and May 27.
Middle East: Countries like UAE and Bahrain had access starting June 1, 2021.
Asia: Other nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia joined in on June 25, 2021.
SEE ALSO: Which Is More Expensive Burger King or Mcdonalds
How to Order The BTS Meal
There were several ways for fans to buy the BTS Meal:
In-store: Customers could visit any participating McDonald’s location to order their meal directly at the counter.
Drive-thru: For those wanting to enjoy their meal without leaving their cars, drive-thru services were available at various locations.
Mobile App: Many regions allowed customers to order through the McDonald’s app, offering convenience and sometimes exclusive discounts.
Delivery Services: In some markets, delivery options were available through third-party apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash.
Special Packaging And Collectibles
One of the unique aspects of the BTS Meal was its special packaging.
Each order came in a box adorned with BTS branding and colors. Many fans collected these boxes as memorabilia. The packaging became so popular that it was often resold online at inflated prices. For instance:
Some collectors listed empty bags or boxes for sale on platforms like eBay for significant amounts.
The sauces themselves also became collectibles due to their limited availability.
Cultural Impact
The launch of the BTS Meal not only boosted sales for McDonald’s but also highlighted the power of celebrity endorsements in fast food marketing. The collaboration drew attention from both food enthusiasts and K-pop fans alike. Social media buzz surrounding the meal led to trends where fans shared their experiences and meals online.
Conclusion
While the BTS Meal was a limited-time offering that ended on June 20, 2021, its impact continues to resonate within both fan communities and fast-food marketing strategies. The collaboration showcased how food can unite fans across cultures while providing a memorable dining experience. If you’re looking to relive this moment or find similar collaborations in fast food, keep an eye on McDonald’s announcements for future celebrity meals that might capture your interest just as much as the BTS Meal did.
In summary, while you may not be able to purchase a BTS Meal anymore directly from McDonald’s locations as it was a limited-time offer, you can still find memorabilia related to this iconic collaboration online or through fan communities dedicated to BTS and their various partnerships.
FAQs
How Much Does the BTS McDonald’s Meal Cost in Different Countries?
The BTS Meal was a limited-time collaboration between McDonald’s and the globally popular K-pop group BTS, launched in May 2021. The cost of the meal varied depending on the country, reflecting local pricing strategies, taxes, and currency fluctuations.
United States: In the U.S., the BTS Meal was typically priced at around $6.49 to $7.99, depending on the location. It consisted of 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a medium drink, and two special dipping sauces (Sweet Chili and Cajun) inspired by McDonald’s South Korean menu.
South Korea: In BTS’ home country, the meal was priced at approximately 6,900 KRW, which is about $6.20 USD. The Korean version had similar components, with the special sauces being a big highlight for fans.
Canada: In Canada, the BTS Meal cost around $9.99 CAD, which is about $7.85 USD.
India: The meal cost around INR 300 to INR 400, or approximately $4 to $5.50 USD, depending on whether the customer was in a metropolitan area or not.
Brazil: In Brazil, the price ranged from 19.90 BRL (around $3.80 USD) to 26.90 BRL (around $5.15 USD).
United Arab Emirates (UAE): The meal was priced at AED 24 (around $6.50 USD).
Prices varied slightly within regions due to factors like urban-rural pricing differences, and the BTS Meal became a collector’s item in many countries due to the BTS-branded packaging and its limited availability.
Why Isn’t the BTS McDonald’s Meal Available in the UK and Ireland?
The BTS Meal was notably absent from the UK and Ireland, leaving many fans wondering why. There are several potential reasons for this decision:
Supply Chain and Logistics: One of the main reasons McDonald’s limited the BTS Meal to certain countries was due to supply chain issues. The two special sauces (Sweet Chili and Cajun) were produced in limited quantities and needed to be distributed globally. Adding more countries like the UK and Ireland could have stretched the supply chain beyond capacity, making it harder to meet demand.
Cultural Market Strategy: McDonald’s may have strategically chosen markets where BTS has a stronger fan base and presence. While BTS is popular worldwide, some regions have larger or more concentrated fan communities. Markets like the U.S., South Korea, and Southeast Asia may have been prioritized based on BTS’ fan demographics.
Regulatory Differences: Each country has its own set of food regulations, and sometimes certain menu items don’t meet the specific guidelines set by food authorities in some regions. The sauces in the BTS Meal could have faced regulatory or ingredient compliance issues that made it difficult to launch in the UK and Ireland.
Marketing Focus: The UK and Ireland’s McDonald’s marketing teams may have been focused on other promotions or collaborations at the time. McDonald’s tends to stagger its promotions across regions to maintain a consistent brand engagement over time.
Though disappointing for fans in the UK and Ireland, these logistical, regulatory, and market strategies likely contributed to the absence of the BTS Meal in these regions.
What Other Celebrity Collaborations Has McDonald’s Done?
McDonald’s has had several notable celebrity collaborations over the years, similar to the BTS Meal. These collaborations are part of a broader strategy to leverage pop culture to drive engagement, particularly with younger audiences.
Travis Scott (2020): The “Travis Scott Meal” was a highly popular collaboration that featured a Quarter Pounder with cheese, bacon, and lettuce, medium fries with BBQ sauce, and a Sprite. Priced at around $6 USD, this meal caused shortages of ingredients at some locations due to high demand.
J Balvin (2020): Following Travis Scott, McDonald’s partnered with Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin. His meal included a Big Mac without pickles, medium fries with ketchup, and an Oreo McFlurry. While the meal itself didn’t come with any new sauces or items, J Balvin’s collaboration attracted fans of Latin music.
Saweetie (2021): The “Saweetie Meal” featured a Big Mac, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a medium Sprite, and Tangy BBQ and Saweetie ‘N Sour sauces. This meal encouraged fans to mix and match the items to create their own versions, a concept in line with Saweetie’s playful brand.
Mariah Carey (2021): McDonald’s partnered with Mariah Carey for a Christmas-themed promotion called the “Mariah Menu,” which offered daily free menu items with a $1 purchase via the McDonald’s app during the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
Cardi B & Offset (2023): The “Cardi B & Offset Meal” featured a combination of both celebrities’ favorite orders, including a cheeseburger with BBQ sauce, a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries, an apple pie, a large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, and a large Coca-Cola.