McDonald's is Giving Away Thousands of Dollars of Caviar

The partnership with Paramount Caviar brings legitimacy to what could have been just a marketing stunt. Paramount has been supplying Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels since 1991, so this is actual premium caviar, not some knockoff imitation.

Each kit includes 1oz of Baerii Sturgeon caviar, which typically retails between $50 and $85 depending on the source. Add the $25 Arch Card, crème fraîche, and the mother of pearl spoon (because you can’t serve caviar with metal), and you’re looking at roughly $120 in total value per kit, completely free.

These seem like a pretty clear riff on the viral chicken nuggets paired with caviar served at last year’s US Open via COQODAQ. The difference is those nuggets would run you $100, while Macca’s is giving theirs away completely free.

The kits drop exclusively at McNuggetCaviar.com on Tuesday, February 10th at 11am Eastern. McDonald’s hasn’t specified exactly how many kits they’re releasing, but based on typical limited drops and the language in their press release, we expect anywhere from 100 to 1,000 units total.

The caviar isn’t some knockoff. Baerii Sturgeon caviar typically runs ~$85 per ounce retail. while the $25 Arch Card works at any McDonald’s for whatever you want. The crème fraîche and mother of pearl spoon complete the proper caviar service setup.

If you were to buy this yourself, you’re looking at:

• 1oz Baerii Sturgeon caviar: $75-100
• $25 gift card: $25 (cash value)
• Mother of pearl spoon: $10-15
• Crème fraîche: $5-10
• Total value: $100-150

McDonald’s is eating the entire cost as a Valentine’s Day promotion. Zero purchase necessary, just be fast enough to claim one.

Set your alarm for the morning of February 10th. Have McNuggetCaviar.com loaded and ready. Be prepared for either a queue system or a straight race to checkout. This is free money (well, free caviar and money) if you can execute fast enough.

McDonald’s is capitalizing on internet food culture and actually putting real value behind it. Whether you want to try the gourmet McNugget experience, use it for Valentine’s Day, or just score $100+ in free stuff, the strategy is identical: be ready and move fast.