McDonalds’ “BTS Meal” was such a big hit in some Asian countries that stores were deluged with orders, crashing online delivery services and sparking fears of yet another Covid-19 surge.
SOME countries in Asia are facing problems managing the surge of demand for McDonald’s BTS Meal with some postponing launch schedules or closing down stores for few days.
The global fast-food chain recently launched a special collaboration with the widely popular South Korean boyband group BTS to 49 areas around the world, including the Philippines. (See also: Invading the tables; McDonald’s now offering ‘BTS Meal’ )
BTS’s loyal fans, also known as ARMY, will get purple-themed packaging with BTS logos, 10 pieces of Chicken McNuggets, a medium serving of fries, a medium Coca-Cola, and sweet chili, and cajun dipping sauces.
Malaysia was one of the first countries to see the launch of the BTS Meal on May 26.
It was quickly overrun with orders that their online delivery orders crashed.
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, customers are urged to order through the contactless delivery function.
However, both Malaysia McDonald’s delivery app and the website’s delivery service crashed during the launch day.
Fans have been posting online how they’ve been preserving the packaging or how much the items are selling online.
Singapore McDonald’s was scheduled to launch the BTS Meal on May 27 but the country raised its Covid-19 measures to “Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)” which postponed the launch to June 21.
More recently, McDonald’s Indonesia launched the BTS Meal on June 9 which led to frenzied buying as outlets were packed with food delivery riders, some were caught on video not wearing masks.
Jakarta and several other cities slapped closure stickers on at least 13 McDonald’s outlets that were swarmed by delivery personnel.
"We temporarily closed four of six McDonald's stores here in Semarang for a couple of days," said Fajar Purwoto, the city's public order agency head.
"I don't want Semarang to be in the COVID-19 red zone again".
Indonesia is one of the hardest-hit nations in Asia.
The BTS Meal is expected to arrive in the Philippines on June 18.
McDonald’s Philippines is expected to announce ordering instructions and measures so as to avoid overwhelming outlets with orders.
BTS is a seven-member K-pop group that debuted in 2013 and has recently dominated international charts with hit songs such as Dynamite, DNA, and Butter.
Tags: #BTS, #McDonalds, #BTSMeal, #Covid19