Burger King has its Whopper, and Wendy's boasts the Baconator and Frosty. McDonald's, however, shines with a broad range of billion-dollar brands. This vast portfolio gives McDonald's significant flexibility to innovate with new twists on beloved items.
Wendy’s uses its Frosty to keep customers excited, often introducing new or seasonal flavors. It has similarly expanded its Baconator line to include fries and a breakfast variant.
Burger King isn’t far behind, creatively exploiting its Whopper through contests and new versions. The chain once held a $1 million contest inviting customers to design their own Whoppers.
McDonald's stands out with its numerous high-value brands. "Core menu items like the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets drive about 65% of our sales," McDonald’s states on its website. "Seventeen of our menu items are billion-dollar brands, cherished worldwide."
Such a robust lineup allows McDonald's to frequently tweak popular items. One example is the Chicken Big Mac, an extension of the beloved Big Mac brand.
McDonald's menu adds new takes on a fan-favorite sandwich https://t.co/0K0eDmzUjy
— TheStreet (@TheStreet) April 15, 2024
Following the fast-food chicken sandwich craze ignited by Popeye's, McDonald’s introduced its own versions. They eventually introduced the McCrispy, which became a permanent fixture and a billion-dollar success.
During a recent earnings call, CFO Ian Borden highlighted the McCrispy’s impact. "It’s an important driver of our chicken category, now a billion-dollar brand," he said. "This quarter, it launched in Australia, boosting our chicken sales."
The success of the chicken sandwich has opened up opportunities for menu expansion and limited-time offers globally. "In the U.K., we launched the McCrispy Deluxe alongside the McCrispy and McSpicy, enhancing our chicken offerings," Borden added.
McDonald’s often pilots new products internationally before introducing them in the U.S. The latest McCrispy variant caters specifically to American tastes.
McDonald's U.S. Gets Two New Versions of the McCrispy
"The new Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy features southern-style chicken, applewood smoked bacon, crinkle-cut pickles, and Cajun ranch sauce," reported Snackolator on Instagram. A deluxe version with lettuce and tomato will also be available, though McDonald's hasn't released nutritional or pricing details yet.
The new sandwiches will be available nationwide on April 17, but some locations are offering them early. "Check your local McDonald’s if you’re nearby," advised the website.