McBarbie to arrive in UK this summer

Mattel is launching a McDonald’s Barbie doll, as part of its long-running partnership with the fast-food chain.

The McDonald’s Fun Time Barbie, which goes on sale in the US this month, will be available from Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the UK from August.

The doll will be dressed in the chain’s yellow and red uniform, and decked out in a hat featuring the golden arches logo. It also comes with a plastic cash register and food tray.

Children can also log on to the Barbie website and see Barbie “at work at McDonald’s” or her little sister Kelly enjoying a Happy Meal.

McDonald’s and Mattel have had a partnership since 1991 and already work together on promotional tie-ins such as Happy Meal promotions.

The McDonald’s Barbie will be launched in the US this week, at an event in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which awards grants to children’s programmes around the world.

This autumn will see the release of “Barbie in the Nutcracker”, a 75-minute film starring the doll.