McDonald’s Is Handing Out Free Big Macs. Here’s How to Get One.
Updated: Jul. 30, 2018
The Big Mac is celebrating its 50th birthday in the best way possible: Free burgers!
Most fast food chains have their “thing.” Chick-Fil-A has their original chicken sandwich, Burger King has the Whopper and Wendy’s with their infamous Frosty. But none come close to the grandiose 50-year history behind the McDonald’s Big Mac. So it only makes sense that on the famous burger’s 50th birthday celebration McDonald’s will be handing them out for free.
Pro tip: Curious how to make Big Mac sauce? McDonald’s showed us how to make their recipe.
How to get a free Big Mac
Unlike some fast-food freebies, this free Big Mac must be purchased with a MacCoin. Yes, you read that right, with McDonald’s money. Since some people refer to Big Macs in terms of currency (i.e. “that new set of dishware costs the same as X Big Macs”), McDonald’s decided to actually make a currency of their own. The worth of a Big Mac coin is, you guessed it, the price of a Big Mac.
Now obviously you can’t just go to the bank and get Big Mac coins. In order to obtain a coin, you must go to McDonald’s and buy a Big Mac first. So technically the deal is a buy-one-get-one Big Mac, with a little twist. After purchasing that initial Big Mac, you will be handed a MacCoin.
This birthday deal will officially roll out starting at lunchtime on August 2, but there’s a huge catch.
There’s only a limited supply
Thankfully 14,000 McDonald’s locations around the United States are participating in the MacCoin exchange, but that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to get a coin. McDonald’s plans to only distribute 6.2 million of them! That may seem like a big number, but that’s still smaller than the current population of New York City. So you may want to plan lunch out on Thursday, August 2.
Multiple countries are participating
The United States isn’t the only country handing out MacCoins; more than 50 other countries will be joining as well! The coins will feature seven different languages to represent the participating countries: Arabic, English, Indonesian, Mandarin, Portuguese, French and Spanish.
The coins have five different designs
Along with the seven featured languages, the coins actually come with five different designs. The designs represent a different decade that the Big Mac experienced in its 50 years of existence. The designs focus on popular concepts from each decade including flower power for the ’70s, pop art for the ’80s, abstract shapes for the ’90s, technology for the ’00s, and the ’10s focus on the evolution of communication (hello, social media).
Now if you get one of these beautifully designed MacCoins, there’s a dilemma you will probably face: To keep, or not to keep, the MacCoin? In another 50 years, the MacCoin may be a vintage commodity, especially if you collect all five designs. Sure you could get a free burger, but coin collectors may sacrifice the delicious lure of free lunch by keeping their MacCoins instead. Either way, you’re gonna want to get in line at McDonald’s this Thursday.
Decided to keep the coin? These recipes will satisfy that fast food craving!
Inspired By: McDonald's Cheeseburger
A crispy coating mix is the secret ingredient that dresses up these baked hamburgers. You bake them in the oven instead of grilling or frying. I like to use a sweet and spicy steak sauce for the best flavor. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
Inspired By: McDonald's French Fries
An even tastier way to eat fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic makes this side dish simple irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Shamrock Shake
Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California
Inspired By: Chicken McNuggets
My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he'll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he's eating. They're so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with Cheese
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Inspired By: Honey Mustard Sauce
This fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspired By: Pico Guacamole with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
You can use any type of bread or roll for this sandwich. We like the ciabatta, but have used other breads and rolls, whatever I might have handy. You can also pan fry the chicken if you can't get to a grill.—Debbie Speckmeyer, Lakewood, California
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry Shake
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Hotcakes
This is the best fluffy pancakes recipe according to my family. They are quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider these homemade pancakes a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Inspired By: Chicken Selects
These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue Sauce
I've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Inspired By: Cinnamon Melts
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Inspired By: McRib
Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Inspired By: Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Inspired By: Filet-O-Fish
The seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Inspired By: Tartar Sauce
Here’s a traditional sauce worth making from scratch. It makes the meal feel very special, and guests are always impressed. You might never buy the bottled stuff ever again. —Roger Slivon, Genesee Depot, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Sausage Burrito
This is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon Burger
Every family has a burger of choice, and this is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait
The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
