--- description: It's staring into your SOUL title: McDonald's Just Introduced an Absolutely Terrifying New Happy Meal Mascot image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # McDonald's Just Introduced an Absolutely Terrifying New Happy Meal Mascot by [Laura Stampler](/author/laura-stampler/) ## Laura Stampler Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 19, 2014 9:25 PM CUT by [Laura Stampler](/author/laura-stampler/) ## Laura Stampler Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 19, 2014 9:25 PM CUT If McDonald’s truly wanted its pint-sized customer base to make healthier choices, then why in the name of all things holy would it make its [brand new brand ambassador for “balanced and wholesome eating” look like this](http://news.mcdonalds.com/US/releases/McDonald-s-USA-Introduces-New-Low-Fat-Yogurt-Side "undefined"): > [](https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/468466673784455169) This big toothed, bug-yet-somehow-still-squinty-eyed character’s name is Happy. And if you have the power of sight, you might have noticed that he is absolutely terrifying. The social media reaction hasn’t been too positive: > [](https://twitter.com/DrZombield/status/468466801555546113) > [](https://twitter.com/Naive%5FSteve/status/468473535934259200) McDonald’s has some experience with creating characters who strike fear into the hearts of small children. Let’s take you back to the time of the original Grimace. > [](https://twitter.com/FullFrontal/status/441369187533864960) [Ron Bergold, the former chief creative officer at McDonald’s, wrote a column for ](http://www.qsrmagazine.com/roy-bergold/your-brand-top-mind "undefined")[_QSR Magazin_](http://www.qsrmagazine.com/roy-bergold/your-brand-top-mind "undefined")_e_ that recalled their accidental creation of the milkshake stealing creature known as Evil Grimace: “The original Grimace was scaly, mean-looking, had four arms, and had no charm whatsoever. He scared kids. We changed him to a soft, plush, two-armed blob of a sweetheart who only wanted McDonald’s milkshakes and to hang out with Ronald.” Exhibit B: > [](https://twitter.com/saladinahmed/status/459525175101227008) McDonald’s didn’t respond for immediate comment about the scared social media responses to the character. But in the company’s defense, what fast food mascot isn’t just a wee bit terrifying? The Burger King king literally creeps into customers’ beds at night: > [](https://twitter.com/davescupboard/status/314411456084971524) And don’t even get me started on this guy: > [](https://twitter.com/A%5FCarp/status/444543633195548672) (Note: [Quizno’s eventually filed for bankruptcy.](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/business/court-approves-quiznos-reorganization.html?%5Fr=0 "undefined")) “Happy” was introduced Monday along with the company’s new low-fat yogurt. Julie Wenger, McDonald’s senior director of U.S. marketing, said in a statement that, “Together, Happy and Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt give kids and parents something to look forward to during their next trip to McDonald’s.” Unfortunately, that trip might occur in their nightmares. **UPDATE at 7:40 am,Tuesday:** A McDonald’s spokesperson provided the following statement regarding Happy: --- > “” --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/105363/mcdonalds-happy-mascot-looks-terrifying/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/105363/mcdonalds-happy-mascot-looks-terrifying/"},"headline":"McDonald's Just Introduced an Absolutely Terrifying New Happy Meal Mascot","datePublished":"2014-05-19T21:25:24.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T07:09:48.280Z","description":"It's staring into your SOUL","url":"https://time.com/105363/mcdonalds-happy-mascot-looks-terrifying/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Food & Drink","Mcdonald's","Happy","Business"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Laura Stampler","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/laura-stampler/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/105363/mcdonalds-happy-mascot-looks-terrifying/","name":"McDonald's Just Introduced an Absolutely Terrifying New Happy Meal Mascot"}}]}] ```