Hello Kitty surprises Singapore

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Hello Kitty surprises Singapore
(Image credit: OLI SCARFF/Getty Images)

Violent riots, fist fights in the street, endless lines — that's what happened the last time McDonald's stores in Singapore promoted the limited edition Hello Kitty "Fairy Tales" doll.

So this year, when McDonald's announced it was unveiling the newest character in the collection, Hello Kitty "Bubbly world," the city-state braced for the worst. McDonald's even hired security guards and extra staff to prevent outbreaks and to manage the tens of thousands of eager fans who were expected to show up.

But when stores opened this morning, customers and store staff were shocked to find the queues mostly empty. They can thank online ordering for an end to the cattiness.

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Kaitlin Roberts is the TheWeek.com's web intern. She has worked for StoryCorps and American Documentary and is a graduate of Davidson College.