New York — McDonald’s is officially bringing back one of its most iconic promotions: the Monopoly game. After nearly ten years, the fast-food giant is relaunching the fan-favorite sweepstakes, but this time with a modern, tech-driven makeover designed to boost both sales and customer engagement.
How the New McDonald’s Monopoly Works
Starting October 6, the Monopoly promotion will return to U.S. restaurants for a limited time. Unlike the old-school version, customers won’t need the bulky physical game board to track their progress. Instead, the experience is going digital, integrated primarily into the McDonald’s app for loyalty program members.
Physical game pieces will still appear on select menu items — like large fries — and can be peeled and scanned into the app for redemption. Customers who order through the app will also earn digital game pieces on qualifying purchases.
Prizes include free food, bonus reward points, and larger rewards such as 1 million American Airlines miles, a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, and even a $1 million cash prize.
Why McDonald’s Is Reviving Monopoly Now
The relaunch comes as McDonald’s works to maintain sales momentum. After a rocky start to the year, the chain’s U.S. sales rose 2.5% in the quarter ending June 30, helped by promotions tied to The Minecraft Movie and the return of crispy chicken strips. McDonald’s also recently brought back its Extra Value Meals to appeal to budget-conscious customers.
Originally introduced in 1987, Monopoly became a cultural phenomenon and a marketing powerhouse. While the game last ran in the U.S. in 2014, it has continued in international markets.
The Scandal That Rocked McDonald’s Monopoly
The Monopoly promotion is also remembered for a major scandal. In 2001, an FBI investigation revealed a fraud ring dating back to 1989. High-value game pieces were being stolen and sold by Jerome Jacobson, a security official with McDonald’s marketing contractor.
Jacobson, nicknamed “Uncle Jerry,” embezzled rare winning pieces and sold them for cash, allowing his associates to claim more than $20 million in prizes. The scheme ended with multiple arrests, and the story later became the subject of an HBO documentary in 2020.
A Boost for the McDonald’s Loyalty Program
This digital revival isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about strategy. By tying Monopoly to its MyMcDonald’s Rewards loyalty program, the company is aiming to drive more app downloads and repeat visits.
CEO Chris Kempczinski recently revealed that loyalty members double their visits after joining, thanks to exclusive discounts and deals. Currently, about 25% of U.S. sales come from loyalty users. Globally, McDonald’s has 170 million active loyalty members, with a goal of reaching 250 million by 2027.
With the combination of big prizes, digital gameplay, and loyalty perks, McDonald’s hopes the return of Monopoly will recapture old excitement while tapping into modern consumer behavior.
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