 FR-13S
1 - Fries
Changeables Fast Food Premium Figure
Item No.: No. n/a
Manufacturer: McDonald's
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: Converts from fries to FR-13S robot
Retail: $5.99 and up
Availability: January 27, 2026
Other: Fry, Fry My Darling
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Back in the 1980s, the concept of "transforming robot" was pretty novel. Transformers, GoBots, and Voltron lead the pack of also-rans and knock-offs with McDonald's Changeables having proven to be a worthy competitor. Back then, you got a chunky bit of food that unfolded into a robot - and that's what we're getting again in 2026. Just last month (this was my first open slot) FR-13S re-entered the fray and delivers a robot that's about the same height as an average R2-D2.
Click here to check availability at eBay.
I was expecting something much smaller, so I was impressed by the all-plastic (with some metal pins) figure. The reds are molded in color, with the fry part of the fries molded in yellow. There are painted silver and blue elements on the face, with yellow fry fingers. If Hasbro or Mattel charged you three bucks for this, you'd probably feel pretty good about it. It is roughly the size of the 1987 Changeables Fries [FOTD #1,423] and I'm sorry to say I sold mine off so I can't give you a comparison photo. There are some odds and ends that have been with me for decades, and well, I can't buy new stuff and keep everything forever.
The originals were a hard, shiny plastic - consistent with other toys at the time. The new one feels almost porous, lighter, and very slightly textured. It's still a hard, sturdy plastic but it is more likely to show markings and damage. I still think you can abuse it and it'll hold up. I'll keep you posted if I get duplicates.
At about 2 1/2-inches tall, these guys could probably hang out with 3 3/4-inch scale or 6-inch action figures as a kind of a Jawa or Ugnaught or other little guy. The feet pull out, the arms swivel, and the head folds out. There's not much to it, and it's all the better for it. Most toy makers are making increasingly complicated figures with more parts, more assembly, and more paint - all of which costs more to do. McDonald's is very cheap, and as such, you get this pretty decent cheap toy with lunch. The face looks like a rather generic robot toy, with a silver neck and face. It reminds me a bit of Leader-1 from Go-Bots in its design, and it's fine. I vastly prefer the original from 1987 with its weird snout mouth, but the modern interpretation certainly feels more refined.
If I were going to eBay to buy a transforming Fries toy, I'd probably get the original - it's just wackier, despite having more or less the same transformation and dimensions. The new one is very nice, and as Happy Meal toys go? These are great. I appreciate McDonald's shamelessly pandering to parents and adults, because it is very easy to see this and justify a special trip for lunch at a fast food place. If you're a toy collector, $6 is nothing for lunch and some fun. Hopefully we'll see more higher-quality premiums like these, or maybe not, because it'll mean I have to keep going back. Whoever was responsible for these deserves a pat on the back, fans seem genuinely excited by this and technically you can sell them without having to advertise to children. Adults will gladly shout about them from the rooftops.
--Adam Pawlus
Additional Images
See more McDonalds figures in Figure of the Day:
Day 166: McDonalds Toy Story 2 Hamm Action Figure
Day 994: McDonald's Transformers Beast Machines Optimus Primal
Day 1,406: McDonald's Changeables Egg McMuffin Robot
Day 1,423: McDonald's Changeables French Fries Robot
Day 1,715: McDonald's Fraggle Rock Gobo Fraggle Action Vehicle
Day 1,986: McDonald's Muppet Babies Gonzo on Bike Figure with Vehicle
Day 2,996: McDonald's Changeables FR-13S
