McDonald's announced today the launching of a new line of Quarter Pounders, to debut in mid-June. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based chain, which has about 14,000 U.S. locations, says that three new Quarter Pounders will be added to the menu: one with bacon and cheddar, another with lettuce, tomato and onions, and a third with habanero ranch sauce. In some cases an apple wood smoked bacon will be available as an option.
"We've had some feedback from our consumer that our bacon may not have been as high quality or met their expectations but we're just in the process of rolling out a new bacon system wide," Neil Golden, chief marketing officer of McDonald's USA told the Chicago Tribune. "We feel like
that bacon is a fabulous enhancement to many of our products."
RELATED: Japanese Yen Collapse: Dollar Hits 100 Yen
1. The burgers will have less meat.
Beef prices have been going up. The company is planning on ditching the Angus Third Pounders, a meatier burger. Greg Watson, senior vice president of menu innovation at McDonald's USA, told Salon that "price was not really a driver" in the decision, but said that the Quarter Pounders will offer "an even greater value than the Angus burgers".
2. It's an attempt at turning around sluggish sales.
Last year, a monthly sales figure fell for the first time in almost a decade. The company is trying to pursue a strategy of emphasizing the affordability of its products, a tack which has forced the hand of Burger King and Wendy's, which have also kicked off advertising campaigns with similar aims.
3. It's the first time in more than 40 years that McDonald's has modified its menu of Quarter Pounders.
The chain had recently seen spikes in sales when core menu items like the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets were tinkered with. The new Quarter Pounders were tested out at restaurants in Sacramento, Calif. and Toledo, Ohio over the past nine months, according to Salon.
4. The Angus burgers are still popular abroad.
In Australia and Argentina the items will remain on the menu. Both countries are known as huge exporters of meat, and more generally for the quality of their beef, which may be related to their ongoing popularity.
5. The change might be indicative of larger unrest in the fast food industry.
As chains like Chipotle, which offer food seen as being of higher quality and better health value, gain increasing traction with consumers in their 20s and 30s, McDonald's is trying to adapt to changing modes with this sector of the public.
RELATED: Argentine Town Resurfaces After Decades Underwater
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
