News

McDonald's to unveil new packaging

McDonald's announced that its restaurants in the United States will unveil new carry-out bags, fountain beverage cups and sandwich boxes this month.

January 8, 2016

McDonald's announced that its restaurants in the United States will unveil new carry-out bags, fountain beverage cups and sandwich boxes this month. The new look is simple, fresh and consistent with the company's vision to be a modern and progressive burger company, stated a press release from McDonald's. The new packaging will expand worldwide to more than 36,000 restaurants throughout 2016.

To celebrate the unveiling of its new packaging, McDonald's enlisted the help of the South Florida franchise that did the company's McDCouture Fashion Show last November. The Cabrera/Bentancourt organization, which consists of 20 McDonald's restaurants in South Florida, worked with students from Miami International University of Art and Design to compose the fashion collection. The students created an original collection designed out of the company's food packaging.

As part of the new packaging launch, two students from the design school were selected to make accessories using the new packaging. Current student Pablo Machado and recent graduate Ricardo Hardouin were given 48 hours to create fashionable items to complement any wardrobe. The duo created an assortment of accessories for McDonald's by using 50 bags, 72 straws, 22 cups, eight sandwich boxes, rhinestones and pearls. The collection includes a sun hat, a pair of straw-spiked shoes, four handbags, and a backpack.

"McDonald's is a fun and modern brand and this was a progressive way to turn our packaging into art and support a community where fashion is an expression," said Matt Biespiel, senior director of Global Marketing. "Every day 69 million customers visit McDonald's around the world and this new packaging will be a noticeable change. It was fun to join these ideas together and create playful pieces that connect our customers to the Brand."

McDonald's has committed to sourcing 100 percent of all fiber-based packaging from recycled or certified sources by 2020.  

"We're proud of the progress we've made and initiatives like this are important to our customers who care about the planet," Biespiel said.