A recent partnership between The Pokémon Company and McDonald’s has come to a premature conclusion due to issues related to scalping and significant food waste. An exclusive Pikachu trading card was offered as part of a Happy Meal promotion from August 9 to August 11. However, the event was cut short after only one day due to overwhelming demand, as noted in an announcement from McDonald’s. They expressed regret for not being able to fulfill customer expectations, stating, “We sincerely apologize for the early end of distribution.”

The promotion, unfortunately, led to disorder, with reports of long lines, rampant card scalping, and considerable food waste. Visuals circulating online depict uneaten meals discarded in the streets, highlighting the tendencies of some customers who were primarily focused on obtaining the special card.

Social media has been flooded with reactions highlighting the shocking amount of food waste generated by Pokémon enthusiasts. In fact, local authorities had to intervene due to altercations among customers vying for the cards.

Reports reveal that the Pikachu promo card is currently being listed on resale platforms for approximately £25, while a complete set of six cards is fetching around double that amount. There are also allegations that some McDonald’s staff engaged in the unauthorized sale of card boxes.

This promotion echoes last year’s tumult at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where a similar exclusive Pikachu card quickly fell into the hands of scalpers, leading to inflated resale prices. Following that incident, several museum employees faced suspension for their involvement, and The Pokémon Company issued an apology to disappointed fans. However, no statement has been made regarding the recent McDonald’s promotion thus far.