Seems only fair. I mean, Canada got the new Big Arch Burger, last week. Now word is, the Chicken Big Mac is coming back – to the US. And it’s coming back bigger and better than ever, with 2 bigger chicken patties!
It’s about time
The poultry pillar was quietly test-marketed in the US back in 2022. Then, apparently, shelved. But it’s coming back now, bigger and better than ever. No specific release date has been annou7nced. But it could be as early as later this year.
Reasons for the delay in reintroduction of menu item remain a mystery – known only to he McMarketing Department. But we do know the Chicken Big Mac (CBM) has been a hit in a number of overseas markets, including the Canada, the UK and Australia. Past experience has shown that they’re tastes are pretty similar to those of American McFans.
That aside…
The new CBM is looking like an update on the original white-meat version.
In a March video, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski called the classic beef Big Mac ‘the perfect sandwich’. But added, “although… Chicken is now going to try to give it a run for its money.”
Indeed the new Chicken Big Mac will feature the time-tested and fan approved BM configuration: three bun slices, two patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles and classic Big Mac Sauce. But not just any chicken patties. Fast Food blogger Snackolator reports, they’ll be ‘tempura chicken patties.”
And in keeping with McDonald’s very public pledge to deliver fans ‘bigger, better value’ mains, the patties are expected to be noticeably larger. At least, they look larger in the official portrait (above).
Backroom intrigue?
“This was so popular in the UK and Australia that they had to pull it from the menu due to supply issues (remember the Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich launch?)” Snackolator recalls. “So it will be very interesting to see how this does nationwide [in the US].”
I also beg to speculate that the Chicken Sandwich Wars (CSW) may have had something to do with the delayed rollout. Everybody – including McD’s – was rushing to début a chicken breast filet-based sandwich to compete directly with Popeye’s, and crispy chicken pioneer Chick-Fil-A.
The chicken ‘patty’-based CBM may also have been set aside temporarily so fans wouldn’t confused it with the McCrispy, McDonald’s high-profile entry in the CSWs…
My take
Whatever the history, the CBM is definitely coming back, apparently bigger and better than ever. And that’s right in line with the promise McD’s made earlier this year, to deliver its fans ‘bigger, better value mains’. Ostensibly, to help them fight high food costs.
Sister Erin and I will be splitting a CBM soon. We’ll let you know what we think…
~ Maggie J.