What’s the Deal With McDonald’s Travis Scott Meal?

It’s usually not a surprise when celebrities and public personalities collaborate and work in conjunction with large brands. Mutually beneficial deals between influencers and companies frequently leave both parties with a lot of money and a legendary ad campaign. Recently, McDonald’s unveiled the “Travis Scott Meal,” and it shattered all expectations. A seemingly regular burger conquered the internet and skyrocketed fast-food demand. 

Interestingly enough, McDonald’s doesn’t generally add celebrities to their menu. Travis is the first to earn such a promotion since 1992. His predecessor? Michael Jordan. The “McJordan” shook the world, mainly due to its exclusivity. In contrast to the McJordan (which was only available in Chicago), the Travis Scott Meal is available everywhere. The package is comprised of the following: 

• A ¼ pound burger with two slices of cheese, some bacon, shredded lettuce, and pickles, topped off with some ketchup and mustard.
• Medium-sized fries with tangy bbq sauce
• A classic McDonald’s Sprite

Looking at the meal itself, it seems relatively normal. Aside from its seemingly low price (only $6), the burger is marketed as an exciting adaptation of the classic American bacon cheeseburger, so it’s likely pretty good. Is that all there is to it? Obviously, not, as multiple outlets have reported a massive influx of hungry fans, leading to a severe shortage of vital ingredients. McDonald’s recently took executive control of the distribution channel and began rerouting ingredients based on an algorithm instead of a demand-based system. 

For reasons unknown, this collaboration has shattered original expectations. People love this meal, and I’m not too sure about the warranting behind it. It seems as if multiple communities enjoy Travis Scott, which is likely the leading cause behind this nationwide success. 

The younger generation has grown up with the famous artist and frequently see his presence in their digital media, specifically his appearances at Fortnite events. The streetwear community has previously flocked to stores to purchase his exclusive Nike shoes and his not so exclusive collab with Reese’s Puffs, which engages yet another target audience. Of course, his main claim to fame-music-has built a fanbase that encapsulates millions of citizens across the globe. 

I find that the name “Travis Scott Meal” holds a certain weight that captures music fans’ minds worldwide. Regardless of how you know him, his fanbase is exceptionally loyal and jumps at the chance to support him in any way possible. Overall, people just seem to love Travis Scott, and I guess they love his burgers as well.