Grimace and Hamburglar are doing their bit for McHappy Day this year, returning on a new pair of Silly Socks as Macca’s kicks off another round of fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Australia. The $6.50 Silly Socks are joined by new stonewash Cool Caps for $9.95, with 100% of profits from both going directly to Ronald McDonald House Australia. The merch is available from October 14, giving people a chance to start contributing before McHappy Day itself arrives in November. Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for Ronald McDonald House Australia, said, “McHappy Day is one of the most important fundraising campaigns of the year for Ronald McDonald House in Australia, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gets involved. “By purchasing a pair of Silly Socks, popping on a Cool Cap or making a donation, Australians are helping support families with children who are ill or injured when they need it most. “The launch of this year’s McHappy Day merchandise is the perfect opportunity to get involved early and show your support. McHappy Day is a great chance to make a small purchase that makes a big difference for Aussie families.” McHappy Day has been running since 1991 and remains Ronald McDonald House Australia’s largest annual fundraiser. Australians have helped raise more than $83 million through the campaign, supporting services for families with children who are ill or injured. Ronald McDonald House Australia now supports more than 89,000 families each year through Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Accommodation, Family Rooms, Family Hubs, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program. Together, those services help families stay close to their children and access somewhere to rest, regroup and find support during treatment and hospital stays. “McHappy Day is a special moment for Aussies to come together and make a meaningful difference for families supported by Ronald McDonald House Australia. Every year, we’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our customers, crew and local communities,” said Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s Australia. “Whether it’s purchasing a pair of Silly Socks, grabbing a Cool Cap, making a donation or buying a Big Mac on McHappy Day, every contribution helps families stay together during some of life’s toughest moments. We’re proud to be part of a community that continues to rally behind this important cause.” There are a few ways to contribute this year beyond the socks and caps: Helping Hands – available for $2, $10 or $50, giving customers another way to add their support in store. Online donations – donations can be made through the McHappy Day website from anywhere. Big Mac donations – on McHappy Day, $2 from every Big Mac sold will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Australia, whether it is bought on its own or as part of a meal. The Silly Socks and Cool Caps will be available at Macca’s restaurants nationwide through drive thru, kiosk, front counter, the MyMacca’s app and McDelivery from October 14 while stocks last. McHappy Day takes place on November 14, with fundraising continuing until midnight that day. Source: Omnicom Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Godiva is sporting a little Regency-era drama this spring with a limited-edition Bridgerton collection set to land in Australia this season. Developed for all of Lady Whistledown’s ‘dearest gentle readers’ in this part of the world, the Godiva x Bridgerton: A Season of Chocolate range mixes pralines, shortbread, chocolate hearts and coated nuts across seven giftable formats – each dressed up with enough florals, ribbons and courtship references to make the collab feel at home in the ton. The collection The Signature Praline Gift Boxes come in nine-piece and 12-piece versions for $54.90 and $72.90 respectively, both presented in ribboned boxes. The Lady in Silver Gift Tin is a smaller six-piece option at $24.90, pairing three dark chocolate hearts with three milk chocolate hearts in a silver tin. Four shortbread flavours sit at the more casual end of the range, all priced at $24.90 for 160g. Pistachio & Cranberry combines buttery shortbread with vanilla, dark chocolate, pistachio and cranberry, while Black Tea & Orange pairs black tea and orange oil with a milk chocolate base. Coffee and Sea Salt comes layered over dark chocolate, and Lemon & Honey uses white chocolate for a lighter finish. The Chocolate Coated Pearls Gift Box is the largest of all at 300g and $54.90, filled with bite-sized chocolate-coated nuts in assorted flavours and packed into a floral box inspired by the series. The Signature Praline Collection gets more specific with the Bridgerton references, covering tea, fruit, florals and heart-shaped pieces: Raspberry Pink Heart – raspberry ganache inside a vivid pink shell. Teapot – black tea ganache in a dark chocolate shell. Dark Rosehip – dark chocolate ganache infused with rosehip. Dark Apple Ganache – apple ganache wrapped in dark chocolate. Milk Hazelnut Heart – hazelnut praline coated in milk chocolate. Madagascan Vanilla – Madagascan vanilla and white chocolate ganache coated in dark chocolate. White Chocolate Praline Lady Godiva – white chocolate embossed with Lady Godiva and filled with praline. So Very Berry – cherry and cranberry ganache with vanilla mousse, coated in milk chocolate and finished with pink glitter. Strawberry Ganache Sweetheart – strawberry ganache inside a pink shell. Godiva, founded in Brussels in 1926, has seemingly set its sights on this year’s ‘Diamond’ title as the cult Shondaland series Bridgerton enters its next chapter. The series debuted on Netflix in 2020, with season five currently in production in London and set to focus on Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, and Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza. The Godiva x Bridgerton: A Season of Chocolate collection will be available online and in Godiva stores across Australia in October 2026. Source: Honey Buzz PR Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Aperol is taking one more job off the summer host’s list with a new 750ml bottle that already has the Aperol, prosecco and soda mixed in. Australia is the first market to be getting the ready-to-serve bottle, which pours with the same bittersweet flavour and bright orange colour people have come to expect from the classic spritz, with a simple orange slice garnish to seal the deal, of course. The larger format is designed to share, which works well for the kind of get-togethers Aperol has become closely associated with. Instead of mixing individual drinks, hosts can pour straight from the bottle for parties, bigger gatherings, balcony drinks, dinner with friends or a Sunday catch-up. “Australians have truly embraced the Aperol Spritz and the social occasions that come with it,” said Jacopo Borsa, Managing Director, Campari Group Australia. “With our new Aperol Spritz 750ml bottle, we’re making it easier than ever to enjoy those moments at home. It’s ready to pop whenever friends pop by, delivering the iconic Aperol Spritz experience in a format that’s convenient, shareable and perfect for spontaneous get-togethers.” The convenience of it all comes at a great time as more Australians continue to opt for spritzes. Not to mention the uptick in Ready-to-Drink (RTD) purchases among the younger cohort. The spritz category has grown 49% in dollar value year on year, and the drink has moved well past being something ordered only when the weather warms up. Spritzes now show up across daytime social occasions, casual entertaining and group catch-ups, while Aperol Spritz itself has become a familiar order in bars and restaurants around the country. The 750ml bottle takes that same serve out of hospitality and into the fridge at home, keeping the flavour profile intact without asking anyone to measure Aperol, top with prosecco and finish with soda one glass at a time. The launch also reflects a broader appetite for premium drinks that are easier to serve at home, particularly when entertaining is more spontaneous than planned. The Aperol Spritz 750ml bottle is available nationally from October 7 and can be found in the wine fridge at bottle shops for RRP $30. Source: Omnicom Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

For almost 20 years, Lucky Coq has been one of those Chapel Street names people know before they even remember exactly which night they ended up there. Later this spring, the corner venue will return as Lucky’s. Morris Hospitality is giving the Chapel and High Streets site a broader brief this time around, turning it into a restaurant, bar and music venue designed to carry people through the whole night rather than just the late part of it. Grace Dorman, Morris Hospitality Head of Marketing and Sales, said, “Melburnians know this corner and so many people have their own Lucky Coq story. It has been part of Chapel Street nightlife for almost 20 years, so we wanted to acknowledge that history without simply recreating it.” Guests will be able to start with dinner, move into drinks and stay on as DJs take over later in the evening. Food will play a much bigger role than it did under the Lucky Coq name, with shareable dishes planned alongside a stronger drinks program and curated music schedule. “Lucky’s is about giving people more reasons to come in, and more reasons to stay. You might book a table for dinner, move into drinks and then realise a few hours later that the DJs have taken over and you’re still here,” Dorman added. “We want it to have the energy of a great night out, but also the familiarity and accessibility of a great local – somewhere you can come back to again and again.” Over almost two decades, Lucky Coq became closely tied to late nights on Chapel Street, packed dancefloors and the sort of nights that tended to run much longer than planned. Lucky’s will keep some of that familiarity without trying to recreate the venue as it was. Morris Hospitality is instead opening up the earlier part of the night, aiming for a venue that works as comfortably for dinner with friends as it does for drinks at the bar or staying on once the music picks up. The change also gives the site a wider role on a strip that has long been known for nightlife but now asks more of its venues than a packed room after dark. Lucky’s is slated to open in late spring 2026 at 179 Chapel Street, Windsor, with full details on the food, drinks, music and venue transformation to be announced in the coming weeks. Source: littleBIG Marketing Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.