Few people remember that Burger King actually beat McDonald’s (MCD) to the punch when it came to having a signature sandwich. Before the Whopper conquered the number three fast-food burger chain in 1957, both Burger King and McDonald’s had very simple menus built around execution.
In the early days, none of the chains tried to come up with bold limited-time offers or even new permanent menu items. Both Burger King and McDonald’s wanted to provide a consistent experience centered around a hamburger (or cheeseburger), fries, and a soda.
That changed when Burger King (now owned by Restaurant Brands International (QSR) ) had fallen behind its competitor, which opened its first location in 1955 and introduced the Whopper. You’d think the success of this sandwich would have prompted McDonald’s to respond with its own premium burger, but the Big Mac didn’t arrive until 1967, a full decade later.
But when it finally arrived, the Big Mac became an absolute hit. The chain has been wary of diluting its success by offering variants like Burger King did with the Whopper. Now, however, McDonald’s has a new Big Mac, and it’s arguably bigger than any sandwich the chain has ever offered.
Expansion of the Big Mac line
McDonald’s has experimented with the Big Mac brand around the world, but in the United States it has generally limited its experimentation to playing with sizes. The Mac Junior was roughly a whopper, while the Grand Mac was a Big Mac that used larger burger patties.
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However, all three were just variations on the classic “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame bun” recipe that made the Big Mac the Mack daddy of fast-food sandwiches.
While Burger King has marketed dozens of sandwiches both in the United States and around the world using the Whopper brand, McDonald’s has protected its signature sandwich. And while we’re not getting the Ghost Mac, Indy Mac, Angry Mac, California Mac, Halloween Mac, Macerito, Upside Down Mac, Angriest Mac, or even the Impossible Mac, McDonald’s (finally) have theirs beloved classic remastered for US audiences.
McDonald’s is finally bringing the Chicken Mac to the US
A Chicken Mac seemed pretty logical since chicken first appeared on the McDonald’s menu, but there were (and still are) some questions as to whether the sandwich was fried chicken patties, grilled chicken patties, or maybe even both (or even one of each). Well, that choice wasn’t offered, but the chicken mac that was a hit in the UK has finally made its way to the US
The chain will be testing the Chicken Big Mac at select Miami-area locations through the end of August 2022, Chew Boom reported.
“The Chicken Big Mac basically takes a Big Mac and replaces the beef patties with chicken patties,” the website reported.
McDonald’s has said it expects to bring the Chicken Big Mac nationwide if the test goes well. The fast-food chain recently completed a trial of its McPlant in the US – after it was a hit in the UK – and decided not to roll it out nationally.