McDonalds admits hot Chinese sauce stunt ‘not cool’

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McDonald’s has responded to a botched limited-edition release of a spicy Chinese condiment that saw chaotic scenes at its US restaurants by promising fans more of the “Szechuan” sauce.

Rick and Morty /Photo from Independent

The release of the sauce was hotly anticipated after it featured on cult adult cartoon "Rick and Morty". McDonald’s produced it for a period in 1998 as part of a marketing campaign to promote the China-set Disney movie "Mulan".

"Rick and Morty" revived interest with a nostalgic episode in which a dimension-hopping character tried to re-experience the taste, saying "I want that ‘Mulan’ McNugget sauce."

Photo from Independent

Hundreds of thousands of people reportedly lined up at McDonald’s branches to get the sauce on Saturday, but many of them left empty-handed because the fast-food chain made only a very small amount for select locations.

Video circulated online of police officers holding people back as they were shouted "We want sauce."

CNBC found packets of the stuff selling on online marketplace eBay for hundreds of US dollars.

Disappointed diners also spread their dissatisfaction on social media platforms including Twitter.

"The McDonald’s I went to for the Szechuan Sauce event today was only given 20 packets and people had been camping out there since 3AM,” said @koisplay.

"Did @McDonald’s honestly think each town only had 20 @RickandMorty fans that may want Szechuan Sauce? Have they never been on the internet?" asked @michaelpeckerar.

McDonald's statement /Photo from McDonald's Twitter account

McDonald’s published a statement on Monday admitting that the stunt was "not cool".

But it also promised that the sauce will be back this winter, for longer than a single day and at more locations this time. It didn’t specify when this would happen, so hungry "Rick and Morty" fans should watch this space to avoid getting hot and bothered.