An April Fool’s Day prank by McDonald’s in Australia backfired in a big way for the fast-food chain.
Angry customers lashed out after they learned that the advertised new burger, the McPickle, was not actually going to be added to the McDonald’s menu in Australia.
“Pickle lovers, it’s the news you’ve all been waiting for. We’re super stoked to announce the launch of our brand new McPickle Burger,” a post on Instagram read. “It’s time to tuck into juicy, flavoursome pickles layered between melted cheese, ketchup sauce and toasted sesame seed buns. It’s sure to be a treat for all your senses. #dailynuggets #mcpickle #pickleoverload #maccas #imlovinit”
The new menu item instantly picked up fans as Instagram users celebrated the two-layered burger filled with pickles, cheese and ketchup.
“I want this now,” one comment declared.
“I’m gonna order 1000,” another wrote.
“Omg it’s a burger designed for me,” one comment read.
But the celebrating was short-lived as it became clear that McDonald’s had pulled a fast one.
“This shouldn’t be a joke,” one person commented, while another wrote, “why does this have to be an April fools prank.”
The reactions came in on Twitter as well.
I have never been so mad at april fools day. Salivating like pavlov’s dog! And beg to differ that this joke backfired. The free publicity it’s getting makes this stunt genius! @McDonalds, pls do this for us, k? ? ?? https://t.co/Bp8djkFrnE
— Elizabeth Keene (@ChroniclesCardi) April 1, 2019
Hey, @McDonalds, I know it’s an April Fool’s joke but hypothetically what would happen if I went to McDonald’s on April Fools and asked for this anyway? Cause lowkey I’ve wanted this very sandwich from y’all for so long. Just sub out that ketchup for mayo. pic.twitter.com/Fv5vvwAHKC
— Gillespie (@ebonyclowning) March 31, 2019
Can’t believe McDonalds went to the effort of filming and editing an entire advert for milkshake sauces for it to not be real… #AprilFools
— Lauren Wilson (@LaurenWilson_10) April 1, 2019
@McDonalds I feel personally victimized that the McPickle isn’t real. Bring back the McRib and we’ll call it even
— Katie Nentwick (@KTsue22) April 1, 2019
Many saw the humor in the prank, however, and McDonald’s even joked about its joke in a comment, saying, “Available until yesterday.”
Hey @McDonalds, that #mcpickle looks really good! It’s not good to make April fools jokes from something that could really be a menu item! Slap that thing on a #glutenfree bun and I would buy it! @PrestonHarr1 and I would love this sandwich! pic.twitter.com/iL2D4WoWGE
— Brad S. Harr (@brad_s_harr) April 1, 2019
“We know there’s a lot of love out there for our famous pickles, and the McPickle Burger has certainly got people talking about them. We’re glad Australians have enjoyed our April Fools’ joke!” McDonald’s Australia said in a statement to news.com.au.
But the McPickle burger wasn’t the only offer on the restaurant’s April Fool’s Day menu. McDonald’s UK’s offered up a special treat for customers who love to dip the chain’s signature salty fries into milkshakes.
FINALLY! ? pic.twitter.com/v89REJTLXi
— McDonald’s UK (@McDonaldsUK) March 31, 2019
This imaginary item also sparked intense reactions after it was revealed to be a joke.
Milkshake Sauce Pots? ? #AprilFools! pic.twitter.com/kaVEkavpGR
— McDonald’s UK (@McDonaldsUK) April 1, 2019
Disappointed in you, I thought you were much better than this
— ????????? (@AlexGrace_x) April 1, 2019
I would actually buy these… please make them real!!!
— Lucas (@LucasJTGleed) April 1, 2019
@connor_woodhead @leahkhall they got us all ☹️
— Josh Porter (@JoshDPorter_) April 1, 2019
I thought this was actually real… gutted. #mcdonalds #aprilfools ? https://t.co/qGHF5SrJDy
— Fi (@Missfiona100) April 1, 2019
But, itt seems McDonald’s wasn’t the only one trying to get a customer laugh, as other food chains also offered up some unusual menu items for April 1.
Red Lobster introduced an eco-friendly straw option:
Starting Summer 2019, red licorice straws will be our 1st test for an eco-friendly alternative for plastic straws! Soon, you may even be able to enjoy that drink with a Cheddar Bay Biscuit flavored licorice straw. What do you think about this sweet move? #LicoriceStraw pic.twitter.com/N7AUX8DhjQ
— Red Lobster (@redlobster) April 1, 2019
Fast food chain Hardee’s announced it was “hiring” a chief biscuit officer:
Join the Hardee’s family! We’re hiring for a Chief Biscuit Officer to oversee anything and everything biscuits at Hardee’s. Please apply at: https://t.co/9rSQ8uS4WP pic.twitter.com/kh4Jx8Fn7k
— Hardee’s (@Hardees) April 1, 2019
And toy maker Hasbro introduced the “hipster companion” to Mr. Potato Head:
Holy guacamole! We’ve given Mr. Potato Head the sack and we’re introducing his new hipster companion, Mr Avo Head! pic.twitter.com/Y9aRITCTd7
— Hasbro (@Hasbro) April 1, 2019
After all the meltdowns over McDonald’s menu hoaxes, one Twitter user summed it up for the burger chain.
A rule of thumb for companies on #AprilFools: don’t fake products people would actually want.
— ?️ ? ? ?️ ? (@orgeezuz) April 1, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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