Last year, McDonald’s made a viral splash with the Grimace Shake, a purple beverage/dessert meant to commemorate Grimace’s birthday. Perhaps not quite on that level of weirdness, the chain is about to introduce a new beverage. And this time, it’s just for Grandma.
“Grandmas have always held a special place in our hearts, and today they’re having a major moment influencing culture – inspiring trends in fashion, decor and now, even food with our newest McFlurry,” said Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s via a press release provided to Guilty Eats. “The Grandma McFlurry tastes like a trip down memory lane, and we’re excited to give our fans that experience while honoring the grandma-figure in all our lives.”
Added Marcelo Fajnerman, VP Menu Strategy, “The new Grandma McFlurry was created by a Culinary team member who is a grandmother herself. She was relentless in perfecting a deliciously craveable treat meant to evoke special memories with the grandma or the grandma-figure in your life, drawing from her own experiences.”
The new Grandma McFlurry will be available starting on May 21, and features your requisite vanilla soft serve with crunchy candy pieces and covered in syrup. The idea there is that it’s sweet “just like Grandma” and the candy pieces are supposed to evoke the candy she keeps in her purse. I’m going to throw some Werthers on there for good measure, but you get the gist.
Though the new McFlurry won’t debut until next week, Grandmas – and I guess non-Grandmas – in New York can get a preview on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 as a Grandma’s McFlurry Mobile drives around New York City visiting senior centers and assisted living homes.
The locations, per a PR rep for the company:
- Friday, May 17 - 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST: Herald Square – 104 W 35th St, New York, NY 10018 (On the corner of W 34th St. and Broadway)
- Saturday, May 18 - We’ll make stops at senior centers and assisted living homes in East Harlem from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. and Flushing from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m EST. Keep your eyes peeled!
Pro-tip: if you are not a Grandma and head to one of these locations, please let actual Grandmas get served first, it’s polite.
McDonald’s is also making a donation to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, “a national organization whose mission is to support older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness.”
And last but not least, Mickey Dees has partnered with Remi Wolf on a cover of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and Jay Wheeler for a cover of “Piel Canela.” The former will hit music platforms on May 21, just in time for you to enjoy a Grandma McFlurry.
Just, TikTok: let’s not make this one weird, okay? Thanks.