By blending celebrity influence with McDonald’s cultural ubiquity, this new campaign is poised to be a standout moment in the brand’s UK marketing history, turning one artist’s personal order into a shared national experience.
McDonald’s has launched a high-profile collaboration with British music icon Stormzy, inviting fans to “Order like Stormzy” as part of a new campaign developed by Leo Burnett UK and Red Consultancy.
At the heart of the promotion is Stormzy’s signature McDonald’s order—9 McNuggets, Fries, a Sprite, an Oreo McFlurry, and BBQ sauce—offering fans a taste of his personal favourite meal.
The campaign builds on the universal truth that everyone has their go-to McDonald’s order, from everyday customers to the UK’s biggest stars. By putting Stormzy’s meal front and centre, McDonald’s is tapping into the cultural significance of shared food rituals and personal preferences.
A long-form film directed by Paul Hunter of PRETTYBIRD brings the concept to life, showcasing Stormzy casually walking into a McDonald’s and ordering his meal. The film takes an amusing turn as customers across the UK – from families in the drive-thru to students and even a group of knitters – begin to “Order like Stormzy,” and their voices are transformed into his deep South London accent.
A surprise cameo from national treasure Alison Steadman adds to the comedy as she proclaims The Stormzy Meal as her favourite meal, too. The campaign also spotlights emerging British content creators, reflecting Stormzy’s ongoing support for homegrown talent.
The playful tone extends beyond the film to nationwide out-of-home (OOH) placements featuring black-and-white photography of Stormzy enjoying his meal. Additionally, a distinct visual identity has been crafted exclusively for The Stormzy Meal, extending to a range of limited-edition merchandise, such as branded tumblers, pin badges, and posters, available to MyMcDonald’s Rewards customers via the app.
As a nod to Stormzy’s roots, McDonald’s has temporarily rebranded his local Croydon branch as ‘Big Mikes,’ giving local customers in CR0 the chance to try The Stormzy Meal 48 hours before its nationwide release. The collaboration will culminate in a special meet-and-greet event in Croydon later this month, where fans and McDonald’s crew will have the chance to meet Stormzy in person.
Stormzy himself expressed his excitement for the campaign, saying, “I am so gassed for my McDonald’s order to be the first ever ‘Famous Order’ in the UK and Ireland. Never thought I’d have my own order on the official menu. That’s mad.”
McDonald’s has taken a fresh approach to media with this campaign, forgoing traditional TV advertising in favour of social-first activations. A standout feature is an interactive Snapchat activation—the first of its kind—where users can engage with the brand directly through ‘Sponsored Snap’ messages encouraging them to try The Stormzy Meal in an immersive way.
McDonald’s UK & Ireland marketing director Matthew Reischauer says, “The Stormzy Meal isn’t just about the food. It’s about taking something we can all relate to—having a favourite McDonald’s order—and turning it into a cultural moment.
“From the film and the merch to the events in Stormzy’s beloved Croydon, we’re giving fans a chance to share in an experience only McDonald’s can deliver.”
Leo Burnett UK executive creative directors James Millers and Andrew Long added: “Everyone has their ‘go-to’ order at Maccies. Everyone. And who better to bring that thought to life than one of the most iconic faces and voices in British culture – Stormzy.
“This campaign celebrates a massive collaboration between two icons as we invite the nation to get in on his nine Nuggs and Fries and ‘Order Like Stormzy’.”