McDonald’s Offers First National Sampling Event

To promote the latest addition to its chicken menu, McDonald’s is offering its first-ever, national in-restaurant Chicken Selects sampling event, starting today.

Four million chicken samples
will be given out over four days

Customers will have a chance to sample free McDonald’s Chicken Selects and a new fat-free chipotle BBQ sauce. The four-day event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and runs through Feb. 20 at participating restaurants.

Consumers can either visit McDonald’s restaurants during the allotted sampling time and receive a free chicken sample in-restaurant or visit the drive-thru and receive a coupon for a free medium fry and a medium drink with the purchase of Chicken Selects. Participation may vary.

The Chicken Selects are available in a three-piece size for $2.89; a five-piece offering for $4.39 and a 10-piece size at $7.99.

“With Chicken Selects, McChicken and Chicken McGrill sandwiches and Chicken McNuggets, approximately one-third of McDonald’s national U.S. menu is chicken-based,” said Ralph Alvarez, president, McDonald’s North America, in a statement. “We are hosting out first nationwide sampling event to invite guests to come in and taste our Chicken Selects, just one of the several great-tasting, quality menu items we offer.”

McDonald’s tapped into a little star power to kick off the event today with NBA star Carmelo Anthony, a forward on the Denver Nuggets, and NBA legend BillWalton. As part of the promotion, Anthony and Walton were to hand out samples of Chicken Selects at participating McDonald’s restaurants in Denver. McDonald’s is the sponsor of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, which takes place Friday, Feb. 18 in Denver.

TV ads and radio ads, in-store signage and P-O-P materials support. Chicago-based GolinHarris handles.

McDonald’s introduced Chicken Selects in August 2004. The company estimates that more than 4 million Chicken strips will be distributed during the event.

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