Get ready, Brazil. Strange things are officially happening at Méqui (that’s what Brazilians call McDonald’s). To celebrate the final season of Stranger Things, McDonald’s is launching a huge campaign that brings fans right into the Upside Down—but with a delicious twist. The whole adventure kicks off on November 25th when the new Stranger Things menu hits restaurants across Brazil.
“This partnership with Netflix for Stranger Things is huge,” said Ilca Sierra, Marketing Director for the Brazil Division at Arcos Dorados. “It’s two worlds coming together that people already love. Méqui is always part of those big conversations, and bringing that feeling to a hit like Stranger Things is special. We blended the food, the 80s nostalgia, and the series’ atmosphere to create something that speaks right to the fans. It just proves that watching the show feels more complete with Méqui.”
The campaign, put together by GALERIA.ag, started with a real-life stunt: McDonald’s signs all over Brazil and parts of Latin America began flickering, just like the lights in the show.
Beyond the TV spot, the experience is everywhere:
- In-Store: Some restaurants now have classic arcade machines near the ordering kiosks, making buying your food part of the fun.
- Flagship Takeover: The main McDonald’s spot in São Paulo has been completely decked out to look like the Upside Down.
- App Fun: Check out the McDonald’s app “Retrospective,” which looks at how you use the app and tells you what kind of adventurer you’d be in the Stranger Things world.
“This campaign works because it puts two things people already care about together,” said Rodrigo Marangoni, Executive Creative Director at GALERIA.ag. “When the story leaves the screen and shows up at the restaurant, the Drive-Thru, or in the app, that’s where the magic happens. We had signs flickering, arcades to order from, and the flagship completely transformed. It’s when a campaign stops being just a campaign and becomes culture.”
The Upside Down Menu
McDonald’s is rolling out a special menu with Méqui’s unique spin—literally.
- Flipped Sandwiches: They are serving up two sandwiches on flipped buns:
- The Stranger Burger Sandwich (100% beef).
- The Stranger Chicken Sandwich (100% chicken breast fillet).
- Both come with maple barbecue sauce, crispy onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, and mayo.
- Drinks & Desserts:
- The Hawkins McFloat combines Coca-Cola with a vanilla topping.
- The Walkie Torta is Méqui’s classic pie with a new red berry filling and cocoa crust.
- The Scoops Sundae has strawberry sauce and a spiced caramel topping.
- The Code Red McColosso features chocolate or caramel sauce, spiced caramel topping, and Biju Black wafer pieces.
The full Stranger Things menu will be available starting November 25th in all McDonald’s Brazil restaurants.
Strange Things are Happening at Méqui: McDonald’s Brings the Upside Down to Brazil
Could This Come to the US Market? Here’s the thing: This Stranger Things campaign is a huge deal for McDonald’s in Brazil and Latin America right now, and the details of the menu and the in-store experiences are tailored for the Méqui market.
It’s definitely possible that a similar, or maybe even a different, version of a Stranger Things promotion could come to the US later on. McDonald’s is always looking for ways to connect with fans, and this series has massive appeal in the US. For now, the Upside Down is only open for business in Brazil.
The full Stranger Things line-up is available in all McDonald’s restaurants in Brazil starting November 25th via the Méqui app (Order and Pick Up), McDelivery, Drive-Thru, and in-store.
