McDonald’s South Africa Launches the FRIENDS Meal

Discover McDonald’s new, limited-time FRIENDS Meal featuring Monica’s Marinara Sauce, show-inspired collectibles and in-app exclusives.

Johannesburg, South Africa – 21 January 2026 – Just like your favourite FRIENDS character, your McDonald’s order says a lot about you. From brokering who gets the last McNugget, to not wanting to share your fries, we all have our own way of enjoying it. Now, fans can enjoy McDonald’s new, limited-edition FRIENDS Meal in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), featuring one of six exclusive, iconic collectible characters.

Starting 21 January 2026, fans can choose from McDonald’s favourites including Chicken McNuggets or a classic burger meal, paired with the limited-time Monica’s Marinara Sauce. Will you get a Rachel? Monica? Phoebe? Ross? Chandler? Joey? Head to your participating local McDonald’s to find out and collect the whole gang.

“At McDonald’s, we’ve always believed in the power of shared moments, and what better way to celebrate that than with FRIENDS,” said Daniel Padiachy, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s South Africa. “This partnership brings together two cultural icons that stand for connection, comfort, and joy. The FRIENDS-inspired meal creates a fun and nostalgic way for fans to come together – whether it’s over fries or catching up with friends – and feels perfectly at home in South Africa today.”

Exclusive Character-Inspired Collectibles
Each collectible pairs one of the FRIENDS characters with their most iconic moments – from Ross with his pet monkey Marcel and Rachel serving coffee, to Monica in full chef mode, Phoebe with her guitar, and Chandler and Joey alongside their beloved chick and duck duo. Designed as collectable figurines, each piece celebrates the personalities and moments fans know and love.

FRIENDS Meal Goals: Fries, Chicken McNuggets and Monica’s Marinara
Fans can purchase the FRIENDS Meal at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide, choosing from selected McDonald’s meal options. Each FRIENDS Meal Box includes World Famous Fries, a chosen main, and the limited-edition Monica’s Marinara Sauce – a flavourful Italian-style tomato sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs. With this unique blend, your Chicken McNuggets and fries couldn’t BE any more delicious.

Could This BE Any More Rewarding?
Fans can also take part in an easy-to-enter consumer competition running across radio and the MyM App, giving them even more ways to engage with the campaign, play along, and be part of the excitement.

More Ways to Celebrate FRIENDS
As an extension of the campaign, McDonald’s South Africa is launching a limited four-part podcast series titled Conversations with Friends, hosted by South African podcaster Lebo Lion. The series brings together local digital voices for relaxed, entertaining conversations inspired by friendship, humour, and everyday moments – adding a distinctly local cultural layer to the global FRIENDS experience.

So, bring your friends to your local participating McDonald’s starting 21 January 2026 to collect all your favourite FRIENDS, while supplies last.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners. All marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Revenue & Strategy division, extends the company’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.’ film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organisations in the world.