Leo Burnett Dubai and McDonald’s Qatar Turn Menu Items into a currency with ‘The Mc Donald’s Exchange Rate'

In a playful twist on currency markets, McDonald’s Qatar, in partnership with Leo Burnett Dubai, has launched the McDonald’s Exchange Rate—a first-of-its-kind digital platform that establishes real-time trading values between McDonald’s menu items.

Available on the McDonald’s app, the Exchange Rate helps resolve one of the most common (and comical) tensions among fast food fans: negotiating fair trades when sharing meals. Whether it’s deciding how many fries equal a McNugget, or what a McChicken is worth in sips of soda, the platform provides a clear, item-to-item exchange—ensuring every trade is equitable and every bite accounted for.

This system assigns menu values based on a mix of price, popularity, and what the brand calls “overall deliciousness.” With rates for fan-favorite items—from Cheeseburgers and McFlurrys to Chicken McNuggets and Big Macs—the Exchange Rate turns casual food sharing into a dynamic, gamified experience.

Beyond the app, exchange rates were displayed across tray mats, digital screens inside restaurants, and even as stickers on product packaging. Fans who shared photos of their in-

The campaign’s fine print, listed as Terms and Condiments within the app, cheekily notes that the brand “assumes no responsibility for arguments over the value of Big Tasty bites or miscalculated McFlurry spoonful.”