There have been a number of Star Wars promotions at fast food restaurants over the last 25 years, and today I’ll show off a few items I discovered while diving into my collection.
In 1999 the world when mad for Episode 1 merchandise, and here in the USA the license was shared between three restaurants. More than a decade ago I blogged the ‘pogs’ that were given out with meals and above we have the game card that showed which ones you needed to collect to win prizes. Of course, like all games of this type (Monopoly at McDonald’s is the most famous) they print only one of certain game pieces and often no-one wins at all!
In addition to the pog game, the restaurants also sold toys! You’re probably not surprised by now to learn that I kept seven of these unopened, and after 24 years it was time to see what was inside:
These are terrible toys, poorly detailed and painted. Each has a gimmick, but much like any happy meal toy (although these weren’t free) they’d keep a child busy for only moments. These were a blatant cash grab for overhyped fans, and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Fast forwarding to 2005, Burger King had an Episode III license and released toys in six different types. It seems I didn’t get many, and kept none sealed. It’s also possible I just tossed the ones I got and kept only those I liked, including this charismatic Jabba water squirter. Look closely at the list of toys and you’ll note an ‘extra 31st toy’ which reveals the mystery of Darth Vader! As it turns out, I have it:
And what’s the mystery? Here you go:
It turns out if you open up the Vader suit Nicholas Cage is waiting inside 🙂
Now we move to 2008, when McDonald’s released a series of Clone Wars licensed toys (to promote the film). Above you can see my mint condition happy meal box, front and back!
I also have five unopened toys. I think fifteen years was enough time for them to age: let’s tear them open:
These are amongst the worst Star Wars toys I’ve ever seen, and McDonald’s should have been ashamed of themselves. But perhaps this was the start of the bubble-head era, that eventually cursed us with a zillion Funko toys?
If they had instead made stylized figures I think the line would have been better, but of course the toys always need a gimmick and here it was wheels under the ships or Chewies walker being wind-up. Of particular interest is the lightsaber on Asaaj’s ship, which seems to be lit via induction.
Let’s now move a few years forward to 2010, where once again McDonald’s is promoting The Clone Wars only now it’s the TV series. And what toy would they choose? Skateboards, since that’s what’s everything thinks of when they think Star Wars…
Once again I kept a number unopened, and once again it was time to open them:
While obviously an ill-matched license, the boards themselves are well made and (I imagine) fun for a child who likes to play finger-skateboard. For me though, the included temporary tattoo was more interesting.
Also in 2010 McDonald’s seems to have released small Star Wars ships in happy meals, but I don’t have any packaging for this promotion (and only the two toys).
And that’s it. There’s been loads of fast food promotions over the years, and far better toys/items than these shown here, and I don’t doubt next time McDonald’s or Burger King gets a Star Wars license I’ll be in line for a delicious burger and a frozen beverage!
Incidentally most of what I showed in todays post was discarded after I took the photos. I kept a few items, but I’ll leave it to you to guess which ones 🙂
And once again – although obviously not Star Wars related – I’ll end with the above chip cup from Burger King in 2009. It’s absolutely mint condition unused, and I still thank the lass that didn’t bat an eyelid when I requested an extra cup and she gave me one!
