McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac sold out within 10 days of its launch in the UK, and now, Americans will also have the opportunity to taste this burger as McDonald’s hopes for a similar reception in the US.
Starting from October 10th, the highly anticipated Chicken Big Mac will be available for a limited time at McDonald’s stores across the US until supplies last. This burger, similar to the beef Big Mac, features two crispy chicken patties instead of beef patties, along with the signature Big Mac sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce, and a slice of American cheese.
McDonald’s has been advocating for more chicken products on its menu as chicken is usually cheaper than beef. The company’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski, mentioned during a recent earnings call that they are focusing on introducing products like chicken that can drive sales and hopefully reverse the declining trend in sales.
He added that currently, the sales of chicken at McDonald’s restaurants are on par with beef sales.
Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer in the US, stated in a press release, “With the introduction of the Chicken Big Mac, we are excited to pay homage to one of our most iconic menu items, the Big Mac, and introduce it to a new generation of fans.”
McDonald’s also mentioned in a press release last Thursday that customers have been “strongly requesting” the Chicken Big Mac ever since it appeared on their global menu. When briefly introduced in the UK and Ireland in 2022, the Chicken Big Mac became the most popular burger in the history of these two countries.
Prior to this nationwide launch, the Chicken Big Mac made a brief appearance on the menu of select McDonald’s restaurants in Miami in 2022, as part of a customer feedback initiative.
Traditionally, McDonald’s has been reluctant to make significant changes to the Big Mac, in contrast to Burger King, which frequently offers various versions of its signature burger sandwiches and even introduced a purple bun this month.
However, in recent years, McDonald’s has started offering different variations of the Big Mac, especially in international markets where beef may not be as popular as in the US.
Another reason for this strategy shift is the increasing trend of Americans choosing to cook at home, leading to a decrease in dining out. One of the reasons for people cooking at home is the affordability of ingredients, as consumers under inflation pressure signal a shift away from fast-food and other restaurants. This has resulted in slow sales growth for fast food chains and decreased foot traffic in restaurants.
Therefore, various fast-food establishments have been introducing value meals, new items, and special promotions to boost sales. McDonald’s is currently testing a new burger called Big Arch in Canada, featuring two patties, cheese, crispy toppings, and a rich sauce, which could potentially make its way to the US if successful.
Additionally, the $5 meal deal at McDonald’s will remain on the menu until December.
(Adapted from a CNN report)