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Under the Influence

McDonald's changed its name – for one full week

Canada's Four Nations Face-Off win prompted a patriotic rebrand for the fast food giant. Big Mac-David, anyone?
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McDonald's sign that reads "McDavid's" under its signature golden arches.
McDonald's rebranded for one week following the Four Nations Face-Off – even changing its name. (McDonald's (X))
Under the Influence27:26Seizing The Moment

The Four Nations Cup was an international hockey tournament held in February of 2025. It was a temporary change from the usual All-Star game. NHL players joined teams from their native countries – Canada, the U.S., Finland and Sweden.

The tournament was played just as heightened political tensions were taking place between Canada and the U.S. As fate would have it, the final game came down to Canada versus the United States. At the end of three periods, the game was tied at 2-2. That's when superstar Connor McDavid scored the winning goal in overtime, with Canada winning 3-2.

In the celebration of McDavid's heroics, McDonald's saw an opportunity.

At a McDonald's location in Edmonton – as McDavid is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers – and at a McDonald's restaurant in Newmarket, Ontario – McDavid's hometown – McDonald's completely re-branded for one full week. Instead of "McDonald's" on the big golden arches sign, it now said "McDavid's." The rebrand wasn't just on the Golden Arches sign, everywhere on the building's exteriors. Wherever it used to say McDonald's, it now said "McDavid's."

There was a special menu too. For a limited time, customers could enjoy a Big Mac-David burger, and a small order of fries had a special price of 97 cents – a nod to McDavid's jersey number.

With Canada's win all over the news, McDonald's hitched a ride.

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