McDonald’s Japan has ended its popular “Happy Sets” promotion due to a surge in resellers buying the meals solely for the collectible Pokémon cards inside, leaving the food behind.
The promotion, which included a mini plastic toy and a Pokémon card with each meal, sold out in just one day. Resellers are now listing the McDonald’s Japan Pokémon cards on eBay for around $28 each. The company has confirmed that customers purchased large quantities of the Happy Sets to resell, leading to the abandonment and disposal of ordered food.
McDonald’s apologized to customers, store staff, local residents, and tenant owners for the inconvenience caused by this issue. To prevent similar incidents in the future, the company plans to limit the number of meals each person can purchase, end online ordering, and revoke official app membership from those who have a history of purchasing large quantities of the Pokémon Happy Meal.
The company’s statement emphasized its commitment to providing a “fun dining experience for children and families” and vowed to return to its core values. The move comes after reports of resellers buying rare Pokémon cards, including some selling for millions of dollars, leading to concerns about the resale market and its impact on businesses like McDonald’s.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/08/13/mcdonalds-japan-pokemon-happy-meals-canceled/85641720007