Since the 1940s, McDonald’s, one of the largest fast-food chains, has evolved their menu over time. Mcdonald’s Introduced a range of unique and experimental menu items, some of which couldn’t become part of the permanent menu for various reasons. Below, we have listed the items that are either a part of the limited-time menu or have been discontinued but still have a fan base who want them back.
Mcdonald’s discontinued burgers
McDonald’s artisan grilled chicken sandwich (grilled chicken sandwich)
The Artisan grilled chicken sandwich introduced in April 2015 featured grilled chicken breasts on an artisan roll, topped with leaf lettuce, fresh tomato, and a specially formulated grilled chicken sauce. It was discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic, as McDonald’s wanted to simplify its menu, reduce operational complexity, and focus on the most popular items.
McDonald’s hula burger
The Hula Burger, introduced in 1963 as a limited menu item, was a meatless burger consisting of grilled pineapple slices with American cheese on a bun aimed at the ones who avoided meat. It was introduced against the Filet-O-Fish but was discontinued in 1964 shortly after its introduction due to poor sales and low customer demand. In a competitive sales test against the Filet-O-Fish, the Hula Burger sold only six units compared to the 350 Filet-O-Fish sandwiches sold, leading to its quick exit from the menu. Mcdonald’s founder Ray Kroc admitted it was a “giant flop.”
McDonald’s cheddar melt
The Cheddar Melt was a Burger featuring a quarter-pound beef patty topped with creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and grilled Onions and served on a toasted rye bun; introduced in 1988 as a limited-time offering; it made several Comebacks in the 1990s, 2004, and 2014, but none resulted in a permanent return. Despite the appealing ingredients, Cheddar Melt struggled to gain lasting popularity. The combination of flavors in cheddar melt did not resonate widely, and due to inconsistent sales and Limited demand, it was discontinued. Mcdonald’s executives have commented on Cheddar melt and similar limited-time items. The company focuses on items that can be prepared quickly and have broad appeal across the customer base. Limited-time items like cheddar melt generate short-term excitement and can return with enough customer demand.
McDonald’s McPlant
The McPlant was introduced in 2021 in the US for a trial run in collaboration with Beyond Meat to develop the McPlant patty as a plant-based option, along with patty it featured lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and a slice of American cheese, all on a sesame seed bun. It was discontinued in July 2022 due to low demand for plant-based burgers and the alignment of customers towards traditional beef offerings; the pricing was at a higher end than beef burgers. Additionally, operational complexity was used to avoid cross-contamination with meat products. Although it was discontinued in the US, it was a success in the European countries where it was added to the permanent menu.
McDonald’s Big N’ Tasty
Big N’ Tasty, introduced on September 1, 1997, to compete with Burger King’s Whopper, was a Hamburger featuring a seasoned quarter-pound beef patty, ketchup, Mayonnaise, onions, lettuce, dill pickle slices, and tomato on a sesame seed bun. Post-2008 recessions, McDonald’s focused more on the Dollar Menu and other value-based offerings to drive sales, and the Big N’ Tasty became too costly and less appealing to customers looking for inexpensive options. Despite the fan base among the customers, it was discontinued on January 1, 2011, due to low sales and an increase in operational costs.
McDonald’s Angus Third Pounder (Angus Burger)
Angus Burger (Angus Third Pounder) was launched nationally in July 2009 as a premium offering a one-third-pound beef patty with three variations: Deluxe Angus, Bacon & Cheese Angus, and Mushroom & Swiss Angus. The Angus burger was discontinued in 2013. Due to the rising price of beef, it was less feasible to maintain the premium burger’s price, i.e., around $4 – $5 in most locations. Other reasons, such as declining sales, consumer price sensitivity, and budget-consciousness (post-2008 recession), made McDonald’s move towards affordable options and core products such as Quarter Pounder and Big Mac. McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud said this decision was a part of the chain’s strategy to keep prices affordable while ensuring quality offerings.
McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
Arch Deluxe, Introduced in May 1996, was a Gourmet hamburger featuring a quarter-pound beef patty with a unique mustard-mayo sauce (Arch Sauce), thick-cut peppered bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onions on a seeded potato bun. Despite heavy marketing with over $150 million campaign budget, Targeting the sophisticated adult demographic ( The slogan, “The Burger with the Grown-up Taste,”) failed to attract customers, priced around $2.09 and $2.49 was considered too expensive compared to other menu items. Considering the additional operational complexity, many franchisees were reluctant to promote the Arch Deluxe. After discontinuing the Arch Deluxe in 1967, A former McDonald’s CEO, Jack Greenberg, later acknowledged that McDonald’s tried to do something different, but the product did not resonate as expected.
McDonald’s McPizza
McPizza was introduced in the mid-1980s when McDonald’s aimed to expand its menu beyond burgers and fries. McPizza featured family-sized pizza and later a personal-sized option. McPizza was discontinued by 2000 in most locations due to the long preparation time (It took about 11 to 15 mins to prepare) and the higher price point from about $5.99 to $10, which is higher than typical menu items like burgers. Also, there was a sense of confusion in customers who associated the brand with burgers and fries. Additionally, it was difficult for the franchisees to adopt as it required specialized equipment. There were some locations where McPizza was served till 2017. Only one location at 6875 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida 32819, United States, continues to serve McPizza.
McDonald’s grilled onion cheddar burger
The Grilled Onion cheddar burger was introduced in 2006 as a premium menu item, featuring a beef patty topped with grilled onions, fried onion pieces, cheese, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a toasted bun. It was discontinued in 2016 as it was a limited-time offering. Customer feedback and reviews on social media indicate the discontinuation was due to low operational efficiency and cost concerns associated with premium ingredients.
McDonald’s Son of Mac (Mac Jr.)
The Mac Junior was introduced in 2017 as a simplified version of a Big Mac, consisting of a single beef patty, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the signature Big Mac sauce. Still, it lacks the middle bun that characterizes the Big Mac. The Mac Junior was discontinued in 2018 after its limited run due to low popularity and poor sales performance.
McDonald’s Hot ‘N Spicy McChicken
The Hot N Spicy McChicken was introduced in Jan 2006 as a limited-time offering featuring a seasoned spicy chicken patty topped with lettuce and mayonnaise, served on a toasted bun; in June 2006, the McChicken was discontinued because of poor sales performance and Mixed customer reviews; it was reintroduced in 2009 but was discontinued in 2013 as a part of menu simplification. It was Reintroduced in 2017 for a limited time and similarly Reintroduced for a limited time in 2019, 2020, and 2023. Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken developed a strong fan following, and a campaign known as the “McChicken Movement” emerged on social media, advocating for the return of the sandwich.
McDonald’s McDLT
The McDLT (McDeluxe), a cheeseburger introduced in 1984, was served in a styrofoam container (A container that separated a burger’s hot and cold ingredients). It was discontinued in 1991 due to environmental concerns about Styrofoam packaging, and the customers criticized the burger’s Unassembled packaging, which should have been served pre-assembled by McDonald’s.
McDonald’s CBO (Cheddar, Bacon, and Onion Burger)
The CBO burger, first introduced in 2012, featured cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, beef patty or crispy/grilled chicken breasts, and hickory-smoked bacon on a soft artisan-style bun, launched to compete with other fast-food chains and restaurants offering gourmet-style burgers. It was discontinued in 2014 due to poor sales. A statement from McDonald’s executives indicated they were continually evaluating their menu for “innovative” items. Still, items like the CBO only sometimes performed as hoped regarding profitability or sales volume. Despite its high-quality ingredients, it couldn’t generate enough appeal among customers. Also, the complexity of the sandwich slowed down the service; hence, it was discontinued due to a shift in McDonald’s menu strategy. The CBO has been introduced outside the US markets as a limited-time offering.
McDonald’s Superhero Burger (Triple-Double Burger)
The McDonald’s Triple-Double Burger (Superhero Burger) was introduced in 1995 as a promotional offering for the film “Batman Forever,” featuring three beef patties, two types of cheese (typically American and Swiss), lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayonnaise on a long hoagie-style bun. It was discontinued shortly after the introduction due to poor sales and the inability to create a lasting impression.
McDonald’s McJordan Special
The McJordan was introduced in 1992, featuring a Quarter Pounder with cheese, topped with BBQ sauce and sliced onions. McJordan was a limited-time offering to celebrate the Chicago Bull’s success and Michael Jordan’s popularity. It was discontinued in the 1990s as it was a limited-time promotional offer from McDonald’s, and the promotion mainly targeted Chicago Fans. Hence, there was a lack of nationwide demand. In a 2017 interview, Michael Jordan remarked on the burger’s legacy: “It was just a fun idea, but it was local. It was great for Chicago, but that was about it.”
McDonald’s Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich
The Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich featured a long beef patty served on an oblong bun, topped with onions and steak sauce. It was sold with onion nuggets as a side and is only available from 4 PM to 9 PM. It was introduced to the menu in 1979 and was discontinued in the 1980s because of Low sales, likely due to higher prices compared to regular burgers; also, due to Operational difficulties, it was removed from the McDonald’s menu.
McDonald’s McLean Deluxe
The Mclean Deluxe was introduced in 1991 and consisted of a reduced-fat patty (90% meat with added carrageenan, a seaweed extract), ketchup, mustard, lettuce, pickles, tomato, and a slice of cheese, all on a bakery-style roll, Marketed as a healthier option by McDonald’s. It was discontinued due to poor sales and negative customer feedback who found the burger dry and flavorless. The marketing strategy of McDonald’s, which offered healthier products, seemed to fail when Barry Gibbons from Burger King commented that customers preferred traditional fast food options over more nutritious choices. In a 2002 interview, McDonald’s executives acknowledged that they had misjudged consumer preferences, as many customers were less concerned about fat content compared to tasteIt was discontinued in summer 1996.
McDonald’s Discontinued Desserts
McDonald’s Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait
The Fruit ‘n yogurt parfait was Introduced in 1999 as a healthier option (only 150 Cal) in the menu and was made with low-fat vanilla yogurt layered with blueberries, strawberries, and granola. It was discontinued during the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 as McDonald’s wanted to make their service more efficient by focusing on more popular items.
McDonald’s Peanuts M&M’s McFlurry
The McDonald’s Peanut M&M Mcflurry was a variation of classic Mcflurry, featuring creamy vanilla soft serve mixed with full-size Peanut M&M’s. It was discontinued in 2020 when Mars Inc. (M&M) expressed concern over associating with McFlurry, which was high in sugar. Mars Inc. wanted to maintain its brand image of Moderation.
McDonald’s fried apple pie
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie was introduced in 1968. It featured a dessert option with a crispy, golden crust and sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. The Fried apple pie was discontinued in 1992 (except in Hawaii locations) and shifted to a baked version primarily due to rising health consciousness among consumers. According to many customers, switching from fried to baked versions felt inferior. J. Kenji López-Alt, a well-known food writer and former culinary director for Serious Eats, described the baked version as “Pale and doughy” compared to the original.
McDonald’s cinnamon melts
Cinnamon Melts, Introduced in 2007 as a part of the Breakfast menu, consisted of small pieces of dough covered in a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and topped with cream cheese Icing made in the form of rolls. They were removed from the menu in 2017, and there is no exact reason why they were discontinued. Still, like other limited-time or discontinued items, they were likely removed due to Menu offerings or declining demand changes.
McDonald’s fruit and walnut salad
The Fruit and Walnut Salad was Introduced on May 4, 2005, as a healthier alternative to typical fast-food desserts endorsed by celebrities like Venus Williams and Destiny’s Child. It consisted of apple slices, red grapes, low-fat yogurt, and candied walnuts. It was discontinued in 2013 due to its declining popularity as McDonald’s core customers preferred the classic menu items over salads and lighter options.
McDonald’s Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry
The Cadbury Creme Egg Mcflurry was introduced in the early 2000s as a limited-time Item, launched as a seasonal promotion around Easter, featuring vanilla soft-serve ice cream blended with pieces of Cadbury Creme Eggs. As a limited-time Item, the Cadbury Creme Egg Mcflurry continued to be seen in markets, especially during the Easter promotion. It was seen last in 2012 – 2015 in the US; the limited time availability is due to Seasonal demand and Seasonal availability of raw materials.
McDonald’s Eggs Benedict McMuffin
The Egg Benedict McMuffin, similar to a regular Egg McMuffin but featuring hollandaise sauce instead of a poached egg, had a round egg and Canadian Bacon on an English muffin. It was introduced in 2016 as a part of McDonald’s Breakfast Menu. It was discontinued because it lacked a poached egg, a traditional key element of a classic Egg Benedict; some reviews mentioned it as a “marketing stunt gone wrong.” It couldn’t match the consumer’s expectations; hence, it was discontinued shortly after the same year due to poor sales.
McDonald’s Discontinued Drinks
McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is made with espresso from Rainforest Alliance Certified Beans, blended with steamed whole or nonfat milk, and flavored with pumpkin and cinnamon, available in hot and iced versions. It was first introduced in 2013 as a limited-time offering in selected locations; later, in 2016, it was available nationwide starting August 31st. It is not a discontinued Item but a seasonal beverage available around late August or early September and is typically taken off the menu after the fall season ends. This fixed seasonal pattern is due to the consumer trends that favor pumpkin-flavored products in autumn.
McDonald’s wild berry smoothie
The Wild Berry Smoothie was introduced in 2010 as a part of the McCafe line. It was made with natural fruit purees, primarily strawberries and blackberries, low-fat yogurts, and ice. The smoothie was discontinued in 2016 due to changes in customer preferences and a shift in McDonald’s strategy to focus on more popular Items on the menu. Also, customers criticized it for the lack of fresh fruit in the smoothie preparation despite being marketed as “real fruit.”
McDonald’s Discontinued Fries & Sides
McDonald’s snack wrap
The Chicken Snack wraps consisted of Chicken, Lettuce, Shredded cheese, and ranch or honey Mustard wrapped in a Tortilla. The snack wraps were McDonald’s attempt to offer a smaller and healthier alternative to burgers. The Snack wrap was introduced in 2006 and was discontinued in 2016 due to operational complexes (which took longer to prepare) and low sales. McDonald’s spokesperson said 2016,” The decision to remove Snack Wraps was part of simplifying the menu and improving order speed.” McDonald’s hinted that the snack wraps would be a part of their McCrispy line. Joe Eringler, The president of McDonald’s USA, has hinted that wraps will be back as a part of the McCrispy line (Previously a part of “the Crispy Chicken Sandwich line”) by 2025.
McDonald’s cheesy bacon fries
The Cheesy Bacon Fries was introduced in January 2019 as a part of the “Worldwide Favourites” menu and was topped with cheddar cheese sauce and crunchy bits of Applewood-smoked bacon. Cheesy Bacon fries were introduced as a limited-time item. Still, they were discontinued later in the same year as a part of McDonald’s strategy to rotate seasonal or promotional items to keep the menu fresh and exciting. The Cheesy Bacon fries were a huge success with customers,. On its removal,, many fans expressed their disappointment,, leading them to become a limited-time item thatthat occasionally reappears in different markets or during special promotions.
McDonald’s beef tallow fries
Beef tallow fries, initially cooked in beef fat from the time the chain was founded in the 1940s, are rendered in the form of beef fat and impart a rich flavor and a crisp texture to the fries. It was one of the favorite menu items, and the disco was tuned in 1990. Due to health concerns regarding saturated fat in the oil, McDonald’s faced pressure from health advocates like Phil Sokolof, a heart attack survivor and billionaire businessman, and consumers who ran full-page newspaper ads accusing McDonald’s of contributing to America’s heart disease epidemic of using beef tallow. McDonald’s then claimed they replaced the beef fat with 100% vegetable oil. Still, they were also using traces of beef flavor till the 2000s when McDonald’s faced legal actions from vegetarians and religious groups over misleading them. Since then, McDonald’s fries have gone through numerous changes to improve taste and texture and mimic the flavor of the original fries. Today, McDonald’s uses a blend of canola, corn, and soybean oil, which contains natural beef flavoring (derived from milk products, not beef fat).
McDonald’s McSkillet burrito
Introduced in 2007, the McSkillet burrito was a breakfast item consisting of an oversized tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, potatoes, roasted red and green peppers, onions, sausage or chicken, and a blend of shredded cheese; it came in both sausage and chicken versions. It was discontinued in 2010 due to low sales and operational complexity, which required different preparation methods. Additionally, it was costly compared to more straightforward breakfast items like the Egg McMuffin or the traditional Sausage Burrito.
McDonald’s onion nuggets
McDonald’s Onion Nuggets were Introduced in 1975 in selected US locations alongside the Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich. McDonald’s Executive Chef Rene Arend developed the Onion Nuggets as a side item, but they were ultimately overshadowed by the Chicken McNugget, which debuted shortly after their introduction. They were discontinued in 1984.
McDonald’s McSalad Shakers
The McSalad Shakers introduced in 2000 were a portable salad meal offered by McDonald’s, served in a clear, lidded plastic cup with a side of dressing that could be mixed in and shaken with the salad ingredients. They came in three varieties: Chef, Grilled Chicken Caesar, and Garden. They were discontinued in 2003 due to low sales, competition from traditional salads, and limited demand. In April 2023, McDonald’s Twitter acknowledged the McSalad Shakers in a playful post, suggesting that a loyal fanbase would like to see them return.
McDonald’s Chicken McBites
The Chicken Mcbites were McDonald’s first version of popcorn chicken. They were introduced on the menu in January 2012 to compete with KFC chicken popcorn. According to McDonald’s, McBites was intended as a limited-time offering; customers found McNuggets to have more value for money than McBites, and the demand was quite underwhelming. Janney Capital Markets analyst Mark Kalinowski mentioned that the McBites would likely fail to become a permanent item, predicting their short lifespan due to a “lack of differentiation from existing chicken offerings.” Hence, the Chicken McBites were removed from the menu shortly after, in late 2012.
McDonald’s Fish McBites
The Fish McBites was introduced in Feb 2013 as a limited-time item consisting of small bite-sized pieces of Alaskan pollock (also used in McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish) aimed to expand seafood options as it was marketed with a catchy jingle titled “Fishy Fishy Groove.”” It was discontinued shortly after in April 2013 due to low popularity and low sales.
McDonald’s chicken fajitas
The Chicken Fajitas were introduced in the 1990s and featured grilled chicken strips with various traditional fajita toppings wrapped in a soft tortilla. They were discontinued and removed shortly in the Mid-2000s due to low demand and poor market positioning, which aimed to compete with Taco Bell in the Mexican fast food space, which did not fit with the brand identity of McDonald’s, closely associated with classic American fast food.
McDonald’s shrimp McBites
The shrimp mobsters were introduced in 2013 as a limited-time offering when McDonald’s wanted to expand its seafood options, particularly during Lent. Shrimp McBites were bite-sized pieces of whole shrimp, breaded and deep-fried until golden brown, offered in three sizes: Snack (10 pieces), Regular (15 pieces), and Shareable (30 pieces). Shrimp Mcbites was discontinued shortly after its introduction in the same year due to low sales, and it is intended to be a limited-time offering. Many fans have expressed a desire for its return, leading to petitions.
McDonald’s McMozzarella sticks (Mozz sticks)
The McDonald’s Mozzarella Sticks were introduced in 2015 and consisted of fried cheese sticks made with mozzarella cheese. They were discontinued in 2016 due to Quality Concerns (Sticks were often partially or fully hollow), False advertising lawsuit as McDonald’s marketed the product as “100% mozzarella,” which was made with starch fillers, Criticisms regarding the taste and quality, mainly once they cooled down.
Other McDonald’s Discontinued Items
McDonald’s Salads
McDonald’s introduced salads in its menu in 2005 and offered various salads over the years, with popular options like southwest grilled chicken salad and Caesar salad; the salads were accompanied by different dressings and ingredients such as leafy greens, grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and avocado e.t.c. McDonald’s Salads were discontinued in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was a part of McDonald’s efforts to streamline operations and improve service speed. McDonald’s aimed to focus on core menu items and reduce the variety of ingredients needed in the Kitchen. Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s USA president, stated that the decision to remove salads was based on consumer demand, emphasizing that “if people want salads from McDonald’s, we will gladly relaunch salads.
McDonald’s chicken tenders (chicken selects)
The McDonald’s chicken tenders (chicken selects) made from whole pieces of chicken breast, battered and fried, were first introduced in 2004 and were later rebranded as Buttermilk Crispy tenders when they returned to the menu in 2017 for a limited time, emphasizing buttermilk batter for added flavor, and tenderness. They were discontinued in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a part of McDonald’s effort to streamline its menu. As of now, They are only available during special promotions. Joe Eringler, The president of McDonald’s USA, has announced that McDonald’s will be rolling out the Tenders and wraps as a part of the McCrispy line in 2025.
McDonald’s Mulan Szechuan Sauce
McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce was introduced in June 1998 as a limited-time offering to promote Disney’s animated film Mulan. It was discontinued in July 1998 when the promotional period was over. It was Reintroduced in October 2017 after being referenced in Rick and Marty, where a character expressed a humorous obsession with it. It was discontinued when demand exceeded the available supply; where McDonald’s apologized for the shortage and promised to increase the supply, stating, “We want to make this right”. It reintroduced the sauce in 2018, but it was not made a part of the permanent menu due to
Customer demand fluctuations and supply chain challenges.
McDonald’s Hot Mustard Sauce
The Hot Mustard Sauce was introduced in the 1980s alongside Chicken McNuggets. It was a dipping sauce with a sweet, sharp, and slightly spicy flavor. According to loyal fans of Hot mustard sauce, it was perfect for pairing with Chicken McNuggets and fries. It was discontinued in most US locations in 2014 due to slow sales and lower demand than other dipping sauces. Due to fan backlash, McDonald’s brought the hot mustard sauce back to some locations in the US in 2016.
McDonald’s Mighty wings
The Mighty Wings consist of bone-in chicken wings covered in spicy breading and dipping sauces. It was first introduced in 1990 and re-introduced in 2013 as a limited-time offering. They were discontinued shortly after 2014 due to poor sales performance. McDonald’s struggled to find a price point that resonated with customers, leading to significant discounts to clear unsold inventory. In 2013, the price of Mighty Wings was considered too high compared to McDonald’s core offerings(a ten pcs order cost about $9.69 ), making them less appealing to budget-conscious consumers. The wings took a long to prepare, which conflicted with McDonald’s reputation for fast service, leading to customer frustration. The seasoning was deemed too spicy for some customers. Some customers even requested refunds due to the heat level. Ultimately, Mighty Wings could not make it to the menu for long.
McDonald’s Sweet Chili Sauce
The McDonald’s sweet chili sauce was introduced in 2010, referred to as Thai Sauce, characterized by its sweet and spicy flavor profile; primarily used as a dipping sauce for Chicken McNuggets but also complimented other Items like french fries and grilled or crispy chicken wraps. The sauce was officially discontinued in 2014 due to changes in the menu where other Items replaced it. The enduring love for this sauce has led to various online petitions on platforms like Change.org and discussions about its potential return, highlighting its lasting impact.
McDonald’s Grimace’s Birthday Meal
The Grimace Birthday Meal was a limited-time Offering to celebrate Grimace’s 52nd birthday. It consisted of a (Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets), medium fries, and a purple “Grimace Birthday Shake” (a vanilla berry-flavoured milkshake). It was introduced on June 12, 2023, and was discontinued on July 9, 2023, as the promotion period ended, and it was a promotion tied to Grimace’s birthday celebration. The campaign was notable as it connected both nostalgic adults and new generations. McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tariq Hassan, said “Our fans have amazing childhood memories of their birthdays at McDonald’s…and Grimace’s Birthday is all about paying homage to the amazing, fun moments we all share”.
McDonald’s Super Size
The Super Size (Supersize) was introduced in 1987 as an upsizing option for meals, specifically offering more significant portions of French fries and soft drinks, enabling customers to upgrade their meals for a small additional cost. The Supersize was discontinued in 2004 due to declining sales of Super Size Meals (which accounted for only 0.1% of total sales) due to customers shifting preferences towards healthier options. Spokesperson Walt Riker urged the importance of McDonald’s to respond to public health discussions surrounding obesity and fast food consumption. Riker also criticized the “Super Size Me” documentary, asserting it as distorted.
McDonald’s Mighty Kids Meal
The Mighty Kids Meal was introduced in 2001 for children ages 8 to 10 who had outgrown the traditional Happy Meal. It included a choice of a McDouble or a six-piece Chicken McNugget, along with (Small) fries or Go-Gurt, a drink (choice of milk, chocolate milk, or apple juice), and a toy. It was discontinued around 2017 due to limited popularity among the target audience. Also, simplifying the menu to focus on popular items that appealed to a broader audience helped them reduce inventory complexity and maintain operational efficiency.
McDonald’s McLobster
The Mclobster was McDonald’s version of the lobster roll introduced in 1993, made with North Atlantic lobster meat mixed with mayonnaise and seasonings, served on a toasted bun with iceberg lettuce, primarily served in New England and parts of Canada. It was discontinued shortly after in 1993 but returned in 2006, and after 2006, it was reintroduced several times in the menu for a limited run. Lately, it was discontinued in 2018 and was found seasonally in selected locations in New England. It was discontinued due to short supply and low-profit margins. The rising price of lobster made it infeasible to maintain competitive pricing, so it was discontinued in Canada’s maritime provinces.
McDonald’s McSpaghetti
McSpaghetti, introduced in 1970, was a spaghetti pasta dish served with marinara sauce, meatballs, and cheese. It was discontinued in 1980 due to a longer time of preparation, which conflicted with the brand’s focus, which was on speed, and competition with Home cooking, where Americans commonly made spaghetti and marinara sauce at home. It couldn’t generate enough customer demand to capture a place on the menu. McDonald’s Philippines continued to serve McSpaghetti, which remained a staple item.
McDonald’s McStuffins
McStuffins was introduced in 1993. It consists of French bread pockets filled with toppings, including pepperoni pizza, teriyaki chicken, barbecue beef, and cheese steak.McStuffins were discontinued in the same year they were introduced, 1993. They were discontinued due to poor sales and couldn’t align with McDonald’s core brand identity, which focused more on traditional fast food items.
McDonald’s McSoup
The McSoup introduced in early 1995 was like a Campbell’s chicken noodle soup served in a McDonald’s cup offered in Chicken noodles, broccoli & cheese variety. Discontinued in the early 2000s due to low demand as hot soup with chicken noodles was readily available outside in cans, which resulted in low sales. Despite its discontinuation, some international McDonald’s continue to serve soup.
McDonald’s Spanish Omelette Bagel
The Spanish Omelette Bagel was introduced in 2000, expanding its breakfast menu. The Spanish omelet bagel was filled with a Spanish-style omelet, including peppers and onions. It also came with ham and cheese, a combination of pepper jack and American cheese. It was discontinued in 2021 as it failed to resonate with customers who preferred more familiar McDonald’s breakfast items.
McDonald’s McHotDog
The McHotDog is a Hot dog menu item introduced in 1995. It was discontinued in the United States due to poor sales and the founder’s (Ray Kroc’s) aversion to hot dogs, which needed to meet the company’s quality standards. Ray Kroc stated, “There’s no telling what’s inside a hot dog’s skin,” so Mchotdog failed to resonate with customers. Larry E. Kurfiss, McDonald’s Executive Chef: He mentioned that “the hot dog was not in our core offering, and it didn’t resonate well with our customers.”” Despite these, It was returned briefly as a seasonal offering in select locations over the next few years.
McDonald’s McFeast Deluxe
McFeast Deluxe was introduced in the late 1970s and featured a single beef patty with mayonnaise, lettuce, onions, pickles, and tomatoes on a bakery roll. It was discontinued shortly after due to low sales and a lack of customer demand. The McFeast developed a fan base, particularly in Australia, where it was reintroduced multiple times. During a comeback, Tobi Fukushima, marketing manager of McDonald’s Australia, stated that it is one of their “tastiest burgers of all time.”
McDonald’s Meatloaf
McDonald’s Meatloaf was introduced in 1990 at a specific location on Beatties Ford Rd in Charlotte, North Carolina. The McDonald’s Meatloaf consisted of a slice of Meatloaf served on a bun, accompanied by a tangy sauce. It was discontinued shortly after its introduction in 1991 due to poor sales and its struggle to gain popularity, leading the chain to focus on traditional fast-food offerings.
McDonald’s Pasta Zoo Happy Meal
McDonald’s Pasta Zoo Happy Meal was introduced in 2007 as a part of the Happy Meal lineup, featuring an animal-shaped pasta filled with cheese and roasted vegetables. The Pasta Zoo Happy meal included dipping sauce called “Zoo Goo,” Ripper Grippers (tongs) for handling pasta, and a milk drink with a flavored Sipahh straw in an animal-shaped box. It was discontinued in 2008, just a year after its introduction, due to low demand, as pasta dishes are not typically a staple in fast-food offerings.
Why did McDonald’s stop serving its All-Day Breakfast?
McDonald’s Stopped serving its all-day breakfast in March 2020. According to Bill Garrett, the senior vice president of McDonald’s US operations and a McDonald’s former employee, below are the reasons why McDonald’s discontinued its All-day Breakfast:
- Simplifying Kitchen Operations – It’s challenging to serve breakfast all day as unique grills, toasters, equipment, and products all need to be prepared, which cuts down their speed and hardens the operational tasks to serve.
- Limited Storage in Universal Holding Cabinet (UHC) – Lack of Storage space for breakfast products alongside main menu Items.