What is the inspiration behind McDonald's new special menu?

The special menu is inspired by the beloved characters from the animated film Despicable Me 3. It celebrates the premiere of the movie, offering fans themed food items.

Which specific item on the new menu is expected to be very popular?

The Minion-shaped fries are expected to be particularly popular. These potato items are characterised by their cute, hollow eye and mouth, and are anticipated to become a social media craze.

Food

McDonald’s Is Now Serving Minion-Shaped Fries

By Wei Zhang

1 min readUpdated May 21, 2025Jul 7, 20171:12 AM

In this article (4)

For those who can’t make it to the Minions-themed café in Japan, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with the next best thing. In celebration of the premiere of Despicable Me 3, McDonald’s now introduces a special menu inspired by the beloved characters of the animated film. In particular, fans will probably go bananas over the Minion-shaped fries.

Characterized by its cute, hollow eye and mouth, this potato goodness will likely become the next big food craze on social media. Check out the images below to see it for yourself.

The Minion fries are currently only available at McDonald’s locations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.

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What this means

McDonald's regional rollout of Minion-shaped fries is a shrewd tactical move, mirroring past successful IP integrations like those seen with their Malaysian expansion. This initiative pressures rivals to innovate beyond standard menu items, driving novelty and social media engagement. While the product itself is low-risk, the challenge lies in sustaining interest post-launch and ensuring consistent execution across four diverse markets. This approach aligns with broader market trends where brands seek unique experiences to attract younger demographics, as evidenced by Panpuri's store expansion focusing on China and Japan. Success hinges on strong social media metrics and continued product innovation; watch for sales data or further market introductions.

Wei Zhang · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

Where are the new Minion fries currently available?

The Minion fries are presently available at McDonald’s locations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand. They are not yet offered in other regions.

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