BUSINESS

Twitter reacts to 'creepy' new McDonald's mascot

Amy Husser CTVNews.ca
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2014 1:21PM EDT

A car moves through a McDonald's drive through window line, in Springfield, Ill., in this Oct. 17, 2011 file photo. (AP / Seth Perlman)

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McDonald's has introduced a new mascot for its famed Happy Meal, though the reaction has been quite the opposite.

Aptly named "Happy," the new character is a cartoon-version of the chain's red Happy Meal box -- but with rubberized arms and legs, slightly bulging eyes and a big toothy grin.

View the story "Twitter reacts to 'creepy' new McDonald's mascot" on StorifyTwitter reacts to 'creepy' new McDonald's mascotMcDonald's has introduced a new mascot for its famed Happy Meal, though the reaction has been quite the opposite. Aptly named "Happy," the new character is a cartoon-version of the chain's red Happy Meal box -- but with rubberized arms and legs, slightly bulging eyes and a big toothy grin.Storified by CTVNews.ca· Tue, May 20 2014 17:18:07 "Happy" has been McDonald's kid-friendly ambassador in France since 2009, and has since rolled out in other European markets and in Latin America.

He was introduced to the U.S. via Twitter Monday as "a new animated Happy Meal character that brings fun and excitement to kids’ meals while also serving as an ambassador for balanced and wholesome eating."

Happy will start appearing in U.S. restaurants on May 23, though the early online response suggests he could strike terror into the hearts of some customers:
Say hello to our newest friend, Happy! http://t.co/CuR3hU8Chj #HappyMeal http://t.co/xgluLaHfcYMcDonald'sTwitter users were quick to point out that Happy's toothy grin was more horrifying than hug-worthy:
@McDonalds wait. Do the kids eat the Happy Meal, or does the Happy Meal eat the kids. #MyWhatBigTeethYouHaveWolfpackCasey.@McDonalds KILL IT! KILL IT WITH FIRE!Emma FrankartBa da ba da OH GOD IT HAS TEETH RT @McDonalds: Say hello to our friend, Happy! http://t.co/w1NHUhLRvd #HappyMeal http://t.co/Eb8eVsm7DuBridget Carey. @McDonalds this looks like the monster that killed my unclesteev@Thesixler please dont beat me up, Happysteev@McDonalds So the box that children will be sticking their hands into has feet-sized teeth & an enormous fleshy tongue lurking inside.HazelOthers pointed out the Happy was like something out of a child's nightmare, not to mention those of their parents:
Did @McDonalds dump Ronald McDonald for a demon-faced box?Jimmy WhetzelI spotted #Happy in my neighborhood last night! #CreepyMeal #happymeal #Mcdonalds http://t.co/aP6fVBmc61Jaclock LaGlock.@McDonalds Some ideas for a less creepy mascot: http://t.co/UYSrbaCGBJDTseriously @McDonalds this is just not working http://t.co/suSqOLs3u6darth™ Happy's grimace reminded me of a meme.... insert scary laugh... XD http://t.co/WIWsKlGRuzJC GibbsDo you want a girl's toy or a boy's toy with your box of nightmares? #HappyMealBridget CareyBut many suggested that McDonald's has a history of creepy characters, including Grimace, the Hamburglar and even Ronald McDonald.