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McDonald’s announces HUGE Happy Meal shake-up with four new items – and they’re hitting the main menu too
However, not everyone will be able to try the new menu
McDONALD'S is shaking up its iconic Happy Meal for the first time in years.
Four new menu items are coming to the Happy Meal range as part of a McDonald's UK trial.
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Happy Meal fans are in for a treat, as the Mayo Chicken, already a staple on the Saver Menu, now joins the Happy Meal menu.
The Mayo Chicken features crispy coated chicken with lettuce and cool mayo in a super-soft bun.
Next to join the range are Fish Bites - five bite-sized pollock pieces in a crispy panko breadcrumb coating.
They are served with a choice of dip: BBQ, sweet and sour, sweet curry, or ketchup.
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Fish Bites will also be available in a serving of 9 as a side on the main menu for £5.79.
Flavoured milk, available in chocolate, strawberry, and banana with natural flavourings and no added sugar, will also feature on the new Happy Meal menu.
Perfect for the summer, McDonald's is also introducing the "McFreezy".
The frozen ice lolly dessert is made with fruit juice and puree and is available in orange or mango and pineapple flavours.
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When and where can I get the new trial items?
Happy Meals were first introduced to the UK in 1986 after being launched in the US seven years prior in 1979.
They cost around £3.59, but the exact price you'll pay depends on your location.
History of McDonald's in the UK
However, there's a catch when it comes to getting your hands on the new Happy Meal menu.
The new Happy Meal menu is trial-based and will only be available in the North West region of the UK and in selected restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.
It will involve 187 restaurants in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, and the Republic of Ireland.
The new items will hit menus for 14 weeks from Wednesday, May 29.
But those who aren't able to get their hands on the new items shouldn't be too downhearted.
McDonald's told The Sun that, pending the trial's success, the new menu items could be rolled out nationwide next year.
HAPPY MEAL OPTIONS
As standard, McDonald's fans can bag the following options when purchasing a Happy Meal.
Mains:
- Veggie dippers
- Four chicken McNuggets
- Fish fingers
- Cheeseburger
- Hamburger
Sides:
- Small fries
- Cucumber bag
- Apple and grape fruit bag
Dips:
- BBQ
- Sweet and sour
- Sweet curry
- Ketchup
Drinks:
- Nestle spring water
- Organic semi-skimmed milk
- Tropicana orange juice
- Robinsons Fruit Shoot blackcurrent and apple
- Small Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
- Small Diet Coke
- Small Sprite Zero Sugar
- Small Oasis Zero
- Small Fanta Orange Zero
- Small Coca-Cola Classic
Customers can also pick between a toy or book and add on a fruit bag for an extra charge.
NEW MENU TRIAL OPTIONS
As well as the classic offerings listed above, those visiting 187 restaurants in the North West and the Republic of Ireland can choose from the following extra options:
Mains:
- Mayo Chicken
- Fish bites
Sides:
- Orange McFreezy
- Mango and pineapple McFreezy
Drinks:
- Chocolate milk
- Strawberry milk
- Banana milk
Those not buying a Happy Meal can also buy the following items from the McDonald's main menu:
- Fish bites (nine pieces) - £5.79
- McFreezy - £1.59
- Mayo Chicken - £1.39
- Flavoured milk - £1.69
How to save money at McDonald's
YOU might not think it, but you can end up being charged more solely based on the McDonald's restaurant you choose.
Research by The Sun found a Big Mac meal can be up to 30p cheaper at restaurants just two miles apart from each other.
But you can pick up a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99 by filling in a feedback survey found on any old McDonald's receipt.
The receipt should come with a 12-digit code which you can enter into the Food for Thought website alongside your submitted survey.
You'll then receive a five-digit code which is your voucher for the £2.99 offer.
Signing up to the My McDonald's app means you can keep on top of the latest deals and offers.
The app will allow you to browse the latest menu available at McDonald's - you can download it for free via Google Play or the App Store.
It works anywhere you have internet, so you can look up what's on offer while you're out and about, or at home.
Every Monday, the app has a host of deals available to cash in on.
Typically you can get things like a Big Mac, McMuffin or Fillet-O-Fish for just 99p.
You have to order it on the app and claim it from your closest McDonald's by 11.59pm on the day though.
NATIONWIDE MENU CHANGES
McDonald's is also changing its main menu next week, and a new burger is on the way.
Twelve menu items are being axed to make way for eight new ones, including a new burger - the Hat Trick.
The burger holds three beef patties, two slices of cheese, grilled onions, mustard and ketchup encased in a glazed sesame bun.
It will be available to buy in McDonald's restaurants for £5.89 as a single item and £7.69 as part of a medium meal with a drink and a side.
Seven other items are being added to menus as well, including fan-favourite mozzarella bites.
Each bite is made up of a gooey cheese centre covered in a crispy coating, and it's served with a rich tomato dip.
You'll be able to nab them in restaurants for £2.39.
Chicken selects are back on menus too, with fans able to grab a box of nine for £8.49.
The chain is also adding a chicken sharebox to its offering, which comes with six chicken selects, 12 chicken nuggets and four dips.
Sweet-toothed customers will be keen on the new Skittle McFlurry, on menus for £2.19.
The pudding combines soft swirled dairy ice cream with chewy Skittles fudge pieces and sugary pearls, topped with purple Skittles-flavoured sauce.
Caramel McFlurrys will also be making a comeback for the same price.
Those more keen on hot desserts will be able to snap up the Galaxy Chocolate and Raspberry Pie for £1.99.
And the popular Iced Latte is coming back from £2.49.
All new items will hit the main menu on Wednesday, May 29.
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But it means that the following 12 items will leave menus on Tuesday, May 28:
- Biscoff McFlurry - £1.99
- Biscoff McFlurry mini - £1.59
- Galaxy Caramel Pie - £1.99
- Biscoff Frappe - £2.99
- Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry - £1.99
- Galaxy Chocolate Mini McFlurry - £1.59
- Quarter Pounder Deluxe - £4.89
- Quarter Deluxe Medium Meal - £6.59
- Chicken Big Mac - £4.69
- Chicken Big Mac Meal - £6.49
- Cheese & Herb Melts - £2.89
- Cheese & Herb Melts Sharebox - £7.09
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