In a recent Ad Age article, researchers studied the infamous McDonalds Happy Meal and the effect that it had on McDonald’s sales and revenue.  A spokesperson for the brand stated that Happy Meal sales accounted for less than 10% of the company’s revenue.  While this may seem great, in reality, that means Happy Meal sales alone generated more revenue for McDonalds than every meal on the menu at Panera, IHOP, and Dairy Queen stores nationwide. 

That’s huge.

In more alarming news (for the Health nuts out there), Technomic’s 2009 Consumer Trends Report states that “37% of kids choose McDonalds as their favorite restaurant, with an overwhelming 87% of those kids claiming the toy was their biggest reason for choosing so.”

So what’s the good news?  The trend report also claims that Subway is the second favorite choice among kids, offering a much healthier menu for parent and child alike.  

My advice to health food chains: Start offering a toy and a fun place to play.