Pokémon fans in Japan cash in on Happy Meal cards, causing massive food waste
The popular Japanese trading card game has landed at McDonald’s, with one huge issue.
The Pokémon craze strikes again. Japan’s McDonald’s sparked a very much expected storm when it unveiled a limited-edition Pokémon Happy Meal from August 9 to 11, featuring exclusive trading cards alongside their usual toy and food items.
What might have sounded like a nostalgic win turned into full-on chaos almost immediately. Long queues gathered outside restaurants as the bulk buyer community descended. This was not just enthusiastic fans — scalpers have been the real earthquake in the TCG arena.
As customers began mass-buying the meals for the cards, the discarded meals piled up: inside stores, at counters, and even scattered across the streets for pigeons.
Pokémon cards go for high prices on secondary market
Understandably, McDonald’s Japan pulled the plug on the offer. Within hours of launch, they dropped the campaign, issuing apologies and promising stricter controls: limiting purchases, halting mobile or delivery orders, and refusing service to hoarders.
“We regret to inform you that the distribution of Pokémon cards to customers who purchased the Pokémon Happy Meal, which was scheduled for three days only from August 9 to 11, has ended at many stores due to higher than expected sales,” McDonald’s Japan posted on its official website.
Meanwhile, on resale platforms, Pokémon cards fetched eye-watering prices—some listings soared to ¥2,000–3,000 ($13-20), roughly four to six times the original Happy Meal cost of around ¥510 (~$3.50).
New rules were imposed from August 15 to 17: no more than three Happy Meals per group, applicable to in-store, app, and delivery orders alike. Plus, customers were told not to contact stores directly.
“The recent situation clearly contradicts our long-held philosophy of providing enjoyable dining experiences for children and families,” the fast food chain said. “We take this matter seriously and acknowledge that our response was insufficient.”
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