For the first time in history, McDonald’s will officially embrace its nickname.
The international fast food giant will temporarily change signs at selected stores across the country to the affectionate Australian nickname for the chain, “Macca’s” in celebration of Australia Day, which falls on 26th January – a move that is its first such globally.
Upon the announcement, McDonald’s Australia CMO Mark Lollback said, “We’re incredibly proud to embrace our ‘Australian-only’ nickname. What better way to show Aussies how proud we are to be a part of the Australian community than change our store signs to the name the community has given us?”
Surveys have showed at least 50% of Australians use the nickname. In fact, @maccas is the Twitter handle for McDonald’s Australia’s official account.
Step into Macca's, get a $2 Mega Choc Waffle Cone and beat the summer blues. @MaccasWaffle pic.twitter.com/AQjcP2uLHF
— McDonald's Australia (@maccas) January 4, 2016
13 stores will change their store signages this week, starting from the state of New South Wales on Tuesday (13th January), the company said. McDonald’s signage will return to each site from early February.
The Australian community has a penchant for nicknames and slangs e.g. “arvo” for “afternoon”, “barbie” for “barbeque”, “sickie” for “sick day”, “doona” for “comforter”, etc. According to a national survey, “Macca’s” is the second most recognised Australianism, just behind “footy” for Australian rules football.
Other popular McDonald’s nicknames from around the world include:
- American: Mickeydees or Mickey-D’s
- German: Mekkes or Mekki
- Mexican: McDonaldos or McDonas
- Japanese: Makku or Makudo
- Cantonese (Hong Kong): Mak Kee
- Filipino: McDo
- Malaysian: McD
Source: Telegraph.
