Chicago, United States: McDonald's says it will scale back use of its smiley-faced mascot Ronald McDonald, fearing he could be mistaken for one of the malevolent "creepy clowns" terrorizing Americans in an odd national craze.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, pranksters dressed as ghoulish-looking clowns -- some brandishing weapons and sometimes planning robbery or other crimes -- have popped up across the United States.
The phenomenon has gone viral, even spreading overseas, with scary clown sightings as far away as Britain and the Netherlands.
The Oakland Park, Illinois-based hamburger chain said Ronald -- one of America's best-known corporate symbols -- will make fewer appearances as long the bizarre fad continues.
"McDonald's and franchisees in local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful with respect to Ronald McDonald's participation in community events for the time being," McDonald's spokeswoman Terri Hickey said in a statement to CNN.
"This does not mean that there will be no appearances by Ronald McDonald, but that we are being thoughtful as to Ronald McDonald's participation in various community events at this time," Hickey said.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, pranksters dressed as ghoulish-looking clowns -- some brandishing weapons and sometimes planning robbery or other crimes -- have popped up across the United States.
The phenomenon has gone viral, even spreading overseas, with scary clown sightings as far away as Britain and the Netherlands.
"McDonald's and franchisees in local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful with respect to Ronald McDonald's participation in community events for the time being," McDonald's spokeswoman Terri Hickey said in a statement to CNN.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Austria 'Horror Clown' Attacks Leave Several Injured McDonald's Reduces Use of its Famed Mascot During 'Creepy Clown' Craze McDonald's CEO Gets Grilled at First Annual Meeting IAS Officer's Wife Who "Eloped" With Gangster Returns Home, Dies By Suicide INS Brahmaputra Severely Damaged In Fire, Lying On Its Side; Sailor Missing Kuwait Couple Divorces Within 3 Minutes Of Getting Married Due To This Reason Bangladesh PM's Office, Police Websites Hacked Amid Unrest Over Job Quota Centre Has Increased Its Budget For Welfare And Empowerment Of Women Internet Says Kamala Harris Is "Brat", And Her Campaign Is Embracing It Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.