1851

In 2013, global fast food icon McDonald&rsquo;s partnered with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to set five wellness goals to meet by 2020. Two of the goals included providing Happy Meal customers (usually children) with a healthier substitute for their side of fries&mdash;salad, fruit or vegetable&mdash;as well as promoting bottled water, milk and juice in place of soda, <a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/report-half-mcdonald-s-happy-meal-customers-pass-soda?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=only-half-of-mcdonalds-happy-meals-now-ordered-with-soda-2709959" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">according to an article by Nation&rsquo;s Restaurant News</a>.

In an independent progress report, Keybridge, a public policy economic consulting firm, has found that the majority of McDonald&rsquo;s markets have met those two goals ahead of schedule, with the remaining markets on pace for 2020, according to the article. 

As of September 2018, 48% of customers in 20 global markets skipped the soda&mdash;up from 36% in September 2013. The global chain offers 161 types of healthy options around the world, like grape tomatoes in Australia, corn cups in Taiwan, and heart-shaped carrots in Austria, according to the article.

Domestically, 52% of U.S. Happy Meal eaters ordered an alternative beverage, up from 37% in 2013. Nation&rsquo;s Restaurant News notes that while soda is still an option for Happy Meals, McDonald&rsquo;s removed it from its menu boards in 2013. 

&ldquo;This work measures and demonstrates the positive impact we&rsquo;re having as we build a better McDonald&rsquo;s and use our scale as a force for good,&rdquo; Julia Braun, head of global nutrition at McDonald&rsquo;s Corp., told Nation&rsquo;s Restaurant News. 

Read the full article <a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/report-half-mcdonald-s-happy-meal-customers-pass-soda?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=only-half-of-mcdonalds-happy-meals-now-ordered-with-soda-2709959" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>.

Image Source: McDonald&#39;s

Only Half of McDonald's Happy Meals Now Ordered With Soda

1851 Franchise

The fast food chain is on pace to meet its 2020 “balance lifestyle” goals across 20 global markets.

only-half-of-mcdonalds-happy-meals-now-ordered-with-soda

BooXkeeping

BooXkeeping Welcomes New Franchisees Alejandra Hernandez and Sandrine Rattier in San Diego, California

booxkeeping-welcomes-new-franchisees-alejandra-hernandez-and-sandrine-rattier-in-san-diego-california

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue and Lifewise Partner To Deliver Safer, Healthier Homes for Seniors

trublue-and-lifewise-partner-to-deliver-safer-healthier-homes-for-seniors

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke’s Sets Sights on Columbus for Franchise Growth

kekes-sets-sights-on-columbus-for-franchise-growth

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier Enters Montana with First Conversion Deal in Bozeman

fitness-premier-enters-montana-with-first-conversion-deal-in-bozeman

Strategic Franchising

What Makes a Franchise Opportunity Stand Out with Strategic Franchising Systems?

strategic-franchising-systems-franchise-opportunity-insights

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

Only Half of McDonald's Happy Meals Now Ordered With Soda

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS