Representatives from McDonald's were ready at dawn to give out free "apple products" to customers lined up to purchase the iPhone 6 outside Apple stores in New York City and Chicago.
The fast food chain used the iPhone 6 in-store release to take a bite out of the Apple hysteria, passing out apple slices and baked apple pies to hungry customers on line.
The free giveaways, which also included T-shirts, sunglasses and phone accessories, ended once Apple's doors opened at 8 a.m.
"It was just a lot of fun to interact with the crowd," says McDonald's spokeswoman Rebecca Hary. "They'd been waiting in line so long, they were sure glad to see us."
McDonald's served up the apple products to show its support for the iPhone, after becoming one of the first retailers to agree to accept Apple Pay, the new mobile payment system featured on the new iPhones and the Apple Watch.
McDonald's tweeted out photos with the customers who waited in line "to build excitement about Apple Pay soon being available at our restaurant," Hary says. Apple Pay will launch at the fast food chain in mid-October.
Customers using Apple Pay simply keep a finger to the iPhone 6's Touch ID while holding the phone near a special reader at counters or drive-thrus. The reader automatically syncs the payments if a credit card is on file. Whole Foods and Panera Bread are also on board with Apple Pay.
"Apple Pay enhances our global digital strategy and is a win for McDonald's customers who desire greater speed and ease," Atif Rafiq, McDonald's SVP-global chief digital officer, says. "Our support of mobile payment options further demonstrates our commitment to be an influential leader in the retail digital space."
The McDonald's system will also be compatible with Google Wallet and other NFC payment plans.
