The time is 1998. The hit Disney film “Mulan” has just been released, and McDonald’s, looking to cash in on the film’s connection to Chinese culture, is releasing a limited edition Szechuan sauce for Chicken McNuggets. It’s almost as awesome as Eddie Murphy voicing a cute little dragon.
As most time-sensitive promos go, the Szechuan sauce falls by the wayside, as does the popularity of “Mulan.” But, like many pop culture-related phenomenons tend to do, Szechuan sauce had a quietly passionate fan group that stayed quiet until recently provoked by the end of an episode of the Adult Swim cartoon “Rick and Morty.”
The “Rick and Morty” faithful were so demanding and vocal in their desire to see Szechuan sauce again that McDonald’s had no choice but to bring it back for one day only.
On Oct. 7, participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide will bring back Szechuan sauce to market its new Buttermilk Crispy Tenders. But let’s be real, the McDonald’s brass heard the cries for sauce from fans (and maybe saw the bottle go for $15,000 online) and, like smart marketing professionals, brought it back with limited quantities.
https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/914626606680952832
The packaging and promotional poster even has a science fiction theme to it, oddly similar (if made more family-friendly) to the “Rick and Morty” universe.
We know what you’re doing, McDonald’s, and we’re into it—as is “Rick and Morty” creator Justin Roiland.
Sounds like they're actually bringing the sauce back… for one day https://t.co/IeNJk1aHFZ
— Justin Roiland (@JustinRoiland) October 1, 2017
