McDonald’s is leaning into Valentine’s Day’s appetite for romance and novelty with a limited-time “McNugget Caviar” kit that pairs nuggets with a luxe topping.
The company said the free kit will be available starting Feb. 10 at McNuggetCaviar.com. McDonald’s will include a one-ounce tin of Paramount’s Siberian sturgeon caviar, along with a $25 gift card that can be used to buy McNuggets. The kit also includes crème fraîche and a caviar spoon, according to the promotion details.
McDonald’s said it took inspiration from “fans” who have long posted about the high-low pairing on social media. The promotion points to posts by celebrity chef David Chang about enjoying caviar with fried chicken and other fast-food-style sides, and it also notes that Rihanna ate caviar and chicken nuggets in a TikTok video in 2024.
McDonald’s did not say how many kits it will distribute, but it said supplies are limited. The story said the cost of the caviar tin on Paramount’s website is $85, which was described as roughly the equivalent of 166 Chicken McNuggets.
Valentine’s Day is a key moment for restaurants in the U.S., with the National Restaurant Association ranking it as the second-most popular holiday for dining out after Mother’s Day. Circana, a market research firm, found that casual and sit-down restaurants tend to see the biggest traffic lift—particularly when Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday—while fast-food restaurants see less of a sales bump. McDonald’s and other chains are trying to narrow that gap with themed items and promotions aimed at Valentine’s diners.
White Castle, for example, is transforming some restaurants into “Love Castles” for the 35th year in a row, with hostess seating, tableside service and Valentine’s Day décor. The company said some of its 300 participating restaurants were already booked for the night.
Other chains are also taking a heart-shaped approach. Chick-fil-A offers nugget orders in a heart-shaped tray, and Papa Johns and Pizza Hut sell heart-shaped pizzas. Auntie Anne’s has a heart-shaped soft pretzel, Jack in the Box gives away heart-shaped straws, and Hardee’s is making heart-shaped biscuits. Even 7-Eleven is offering heart-shaped donuts and $14 off delivery orders.