Some things are real at McDonald's

Transformers and My Little Pony colouring sheet, McDonald's, Vancouver, BC

I'm often surprised by the areas where businesses try to save money, and the areas where they splash out for the real thing.

McDonald's current Happy Meal promotion includes the choice of either a Transformers or My Little Pony toy. As part of the promotion, the restaurants have colouring sheets available. The thing that surprised me about this was that the red crayons provided are real Crayola crayons.

The difference in cost over a non-name crayon is probably modest (In the order of pennies), but the difference in reputation is huge. In children's art supplies brand names such as Crayola carry enormous weight. Parents have an expectation of quality and safety, and a brand like Crayola delivers.