Adding apples to all McDonald’s Corp Happy Meals starting in September is a healthy decision by the world’s largest hamburger chain — at least for apple suppliers.
Currently 10 to 12 percent of Happy Meals are sold with a side of apple slices as opposed to French fries, according to Mark Gedris, director of communications and membership at the U.S. Apple Association.
The apple portion of Happy Meals will shrink to 1.2 ounces from 3.1 ounces when the changeover occurs, but the supply of apples that McDonald’s will need will skyrocket since the number of the meals with apples will increase ten-fold.
McDonald’s will need to make sure that its apple supply keeps up with sales, or it could run into some problems as it did last summer with its McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies.