McDonald’s Japan halts Pokemon card giveaway after crowds and reseller activity overwhelmed stores, left piles of uneaten Happy Meals discarded

The Pokemon Company and McDonald's have teamed up before, but not without attracting undo attention from would-be scalpers. Earlier this month, McDonald's Japan was forced to end its latest Pokemon Happy Meal promotion a few days early because the supply of cards quickly ran out amid chaotic crowds clamoring for the cards that came with them.

McDonald's Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards, apologizing after resellers rushed to buy the meals and then discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores.

TOKYO (AP) — Fast-food chain McDonald’s Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards, apologizing after resellers rushed to buy the meals and then discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores.

McDonald’s Japan abruptly ended its highly anticipated Pokémon Happy Meal trading card promotion just one day after launch due to widespread chaos and food waste.

Piles of untouched Happy Meals littered sidewalks outside McDonald’s restaurants in Japan over the weekend, as frenzied customers scrambled to buy limited-edition sets with Pokémon cards.

What started out innocently enough—a Happy Meal giveaway featuring Pokemon trading cards—has turned into complete pandemonium. According to various sources, a number of McDonald's restaurants in Japan have ended their Pokemon promotion early due to customers hoarding meals to get as many trading