9 Facts About How Greed Built McDonald's Empire

5. Using "Toys as Bait" for More Sales

In 2010, a mother accused McDonald's of using "toys as bait" to attract children and create a subconscious preference for unhealthy food, but her efforts were eventually dismissed. A similar allegation was filed in 2018 when a Canadian father sued the chain. The resulting settlement required McDonald's to donate a total of $1 million to four local charities, as well as implement several safeguards for younger customers, such as removing toys from their line of sight.