McDonald's Ends Monopoly, Readies for World Children's Day

McDonald's Corp. ended Best Chance Monopoly a few days early, as anticipated. The chain ran out of game pieces before the four-week promo's scheduled close.

The promotion was to end Nov. 10 (Oct. 28 Xtra). McDonald's also canceled its last week of TV support, according to news reports.

McDonald's printed a reported 275 million game pieces, compared to 400 million for March-April 2003 Winning Time sweepstakes. News reports say McDonald's shifted inventory to cover restaurants with shortages.

Separately, McDonald's repeats World Children's Day on Nov. 20, with appearances by singer Justin Timberlake and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

McDonald's launched the global fundraising day last year, raising $12 million in a single day. Restaurants in 100 countries will participate again this time around. Oak Brook, IL-based McDonald's is sponsoring Timberlake's European tour this fall, and he appears in current TV spots.

U.S. restaurants will make a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities with each purchase of a premium salad or French fries Nov. 20 to 23. Some units also will offer Give a Hand paper hands that diners decorate for in-store display when they make a donation.

Worldwide activities include a concert (China), walk-a-thon (Hong Kong), telethons (Mexico and Chile), celebrity visits to children's hospitals (Croatia) as well as celebrities and athletes working shifts behind the counter.