How can McDonald's continue advertising promotional items at a branch that has no stock

On 26 February 2026, my wife and I visited McDonald’s Kempton Park at Mooirivier Drive, Norkem Park. We specifically ordered the McDonald’s Friends Meal Big Mac because we wanted to receive the Friends Collectibles advertised with the promotion.

Before placing our order at the drive-thru, we asked the staff whether they had the Friends Collectibles in stock. We were not informed that they had never received any stock. After we paid and received our meals, we asked for the Collectibles and were then told that they had not received the stock at all.

This is extremely disappointing and misleading. The promotion was still being advertised, yet the store never had the Collectibles available. We were not properly informed before making payment, and we only ordered the meal because of the advertised Collectibles.

How can McDonald's continue advertising promotional items at a branch that has no stock, and why were customers not informed before ordering and paying?

I advise everyone to please make absolutely sure that the store has the promotional stock available before placing and paying for your order, to avoid the same disappointment.