McDonald's Corporation lands in Munich for Grimace birthday promotion

McDonald's Corporation flew from Chicago Midway International Airport to Munich Airport on May 10, 2026, touching down early the following morning in its Gulfstream G600. The overnight transatlantic crossing lasted nearly eight hours, cruising at altitudes above 45,000 feet and speeds nearing 580 knots—a brisk jaunt for the fast-food behemoth's lone corporate ride.

The arrival syncs neatly with McDonald's Germany's launch of a Grimace-themed menu, complete with purple buns, cheese, and shakes to mark the character's birthday, as detailed in a Horeca Trends report from April 30. CEO Chris Kempczinski, fresh off touting value-driven sales in the Q1 earnings call earlier this month, likely jetted over to champion the campaign in Europe, where the chain eyes fresh ways to lure diners amid softening traffic.

This venture abroad breaks from the pattern of recent U.S.-centric flights, shuttling between Chicago and Minneapolis in the days prior—perhaps boardroom business or supplier chats. Munich joins the roster of occasional European stops like London, hinting that even global giants occasionally cross oceans for a splashy promo, lest the competition snag the purple spotlight.