Is McDonald's selling French fry-scented perfume? Learn the truth behind this campaign for McDonald's Japan's Shaka Shaka Potatoes.
Fast Food Marketing Gets Smelly
McDonald's Japan caused a stir online with a recent social media post hinting at a new product: French fry perfume. Images on social media showcasing three potato perfumes - salted classic, garlic pepper mayo, and ume-nori salt - sent the internet into a frenzy because they were photographed next to a model spritzing what seemed to be a Mickey D's branded perfume on her neck. Whaaaaaaaattt???
Potato Prank
Before you collectors of the odd and bizarre start scouring eBay looking to snag a bolle of this frites fragrance, this was a fake out. We'll admit, they almost had us too. I mean, after they put out a burger-scented candle in 2020, we were like, sure, why not? This wasn't a new perfume line. It was a clever marketing campaign for McDonald's Japan's limited-edition "Shaka Shaka Potato" flavors. These are fries that come with a seasoning packet you shake on for a burst of fun flavors.
Those Fries Do Sound Good, Tho
While the perfume was a playful fake, the "Shaka Shaka Potato" flavors are very real but only available in Japan for now. Here's hoping theve innovative fries make it to USA McDonald's locations soon.
