McDonald’s Revives Monopoly Game After 10 Years With Exciting High-Tech Features
McDonald’s Revives Monopoly with a Digital Twist
Monopoly Game Returns to US McDonald’s Locations
McDonald’s is bringing back the popular Monopoly game to its US restaurants after nearly a decade. Starting October 6, the game will run for a limited time with a significant digital transformation. Unlike previous editions, the physical game board will not be making a return. Instead, customers will find a blend of physical and digital gameplay through the McDonald’s app for loyalty program members.
How to Play the New Digital Monopoly
McDonald’s has redesigned the Monopoly gaming experience to integrate seamlessly with its app. Physical game pieces will be attached to select food items, like large fry boxes, which customers can peel and scan into the mobile app for rewards. Additionally, digital game pieces become available for certain orders placed through the app, enhancing user engagement.
Prizes and Rewards Await Loyal Customers
Participants who collect all pieces of a particular property set can redeem a variety of prizes. These range from free food items and bonus reward points to larger rewards such as 1 million American Airlines miles and a brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. One lucky player will even win a $1 million cash prize.
- Free food items
- Bonus reward points
- American Airlines miles
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- $1 million cash
Revitalizing Sales and Loyalty Program Growth
The revival of Monopoly aligns with McDonald’s recent sales recovery efforts. The fast food giant reported a sales increase of 2.5% for the quarter ending June 30, after two consecutive quarters of declines. Promotions such as “A Minecraft Movie” and new product launches like crispy chicken strips played pivotal roles in this turnaround.
McDonald’s hopes the revamped Monopoly game will bolster its growing loyalty program. According to CEO Chris Kempczinski, loyalty program members visit the restaurant more frequently, given the enticing discounts and offers. The loyalty program is crucial for the brand, as it captures customer data and ordering habits, enhancing value perception among users.
The History and Scandal of McDonald’s Monopoly
Monopoly has a long history with McDonald’s, debuting in 1987 and last appearing in the US in 2014. However, the game was tainted by scandal starting in 1989 when a fraudulent scheme stole over $20 million worth of high-value game pieces. In 2001, Jerome Jacobson and his accomplices were charged with mail fraud for manipulating the prize distribution, an affair detailed in an HBO documentary.
Despite its past controversies, the return of Monopoly signifies McDonald’s ambition to reinvigorate its customer base and enhance digital engagement across its US outlets. The move is not only poised to boost sales but also aims at achieving the global goal of 250 million active loyalty users by 2027. With around 170 million currently engaged, the fast-food chain is well on its way. El-Balad will continue to track the success of this nostalgic campaign.
