McDonald’s US customers can try to get free food for life

McDonald’s US customers can try to get free food for life

For the holidays, McDonald’s is giving away free meals for life.

Well, more or less. Starting December 5th, all orders completed on the McDonald’s app for at least $1 will be entered into a contest to win a McGold Card.

Three winners will receive a special card that gives them free access to McDonald’s for life. In addition, each winner will receive three extra cards to deal, making a total of 12 cards won.

The McGold card has been around for years, with some heavy hitters reportedly holding them, including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and actor Rob Lowe.

In 2018, McDonald’s issued a few gold cards during a contest, but the winner was eligible to receive “only” two free meals a week for 50 years. This rule also applies to this year’s promotion, which ends on December 25th.

“Our fans were fascinated by the lore of the McGold Card and whether it actually exists. And now, we’re making this McDonald’s legend a reality for our fans by giving them the ultimate holiday gift — the chance to win a card and share access to it with three of their family or friends,” said Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s US chief marketing officer in a statement.

McDonald’s is enticing people to come in with three weeks worth of food and merchandise deals, including Chicken McNugget socks and an AM Wrapper Hoodie in Egg McMuffin or cheeseburger prints.

Deals, which vary by day, include buy-one-get-one-free Big Mac sandwiches, free six-piece nuggets with a $1 purchase, and $0.50 double cheeseburgers.

It’s the third year that McDonald’s has launched a promotion in December, with last year’s promotion by Mariah Carey.

The annual promotion uses existing ingredients or menu items—creating buzz without adding a lot of extra work for employees. It also entices people to come in and likely spend more than the $1 required to get the free food.

McDonald’s recently posted strong earnings, partly driven by deals like these. In the third quarter, sales at American McDonald’s stores open for at least 13 months grew by 6.1%.

The chain is “positioned as the leading brand in terms of value and affordability,” its CFO Ian Borden said on a call with analysts last month. He noted that some cash-strapped customers are switching from buying meals to buying value items.

Source: CNN Brasil