• by Teresa Buyikian , 10 hours ago

Despite having all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, The Grinch is making his way to celebrate the holidays at McDonald’s in the U.S.

Following last year’s successful Canadian rollout of the Dr. Seuss Grinch-themed meal, this year their U.S. neighbors will get to commemorate the holiday season with the “king of sinful sots.”

Available beginning Dec. 3, “The Grinch Meal” features the new Dill Pickle "Grinch Salt" McShaker Fries, which are traditional McDonald’s French fries served with a tangy dill pickle seasoning. Customers are directed to pour the seasoning and fries into the supplied “McShaker” bag and shake. The meal also includes a choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, a medium drink and a pair of collectible Grinch-themed socks.

“The Grinch Meal was a huge success in Canada, so bringing this fan favorite to the U.S. was a no-brainer,” says Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer of McDonald’s USA, in a release. “The Grinch gets it: the holidays are chaotic, and he’s thrilled to give our fandom permission to embrace their inner Grinch with his festive mischievous meal and spirited socks.”

Last week the brand took over billboards in New York’s Times Square to promote The Grinch Meal, and also allowed  The Grinch himself to take over the brand’s social media feeds.

A TV spot featuring The Grinch, created by Wieden & Kennedy, will roll out beginning Dec. 2, which according the brand “takes fans through the full story of how The Grinch brought his diabolical holiday masterplan to life at McDonald’s.”

A series of new McCafé holiday cups, featuring the Grinch, his canine companion Max and Cindy Lou Who, will be available Dec. 2.

McDonald's has also launched what it is calling its first "holistic" gaming program, with holiday livestreams of unboxings of The Grinch Meal, chat-voted challenges and “branded surprises” with such  Twitch creators as Sydeon, TinaKitten, Happyhappygal and CyYu.