Latest news with #McDouble
New York Post
3 days ago
- General
- New York Post
McDonald's ‘magic' seasoning revealed by ex-chef and it features just two ingredients
McDonald's fans are lovin' their 'magical' seasoning — but what's in it? In response to a question asking how McDonald's flavors their meat, a former corporate chef at the fast-food chain dished on the secret ingredients. 'I am gonna divulge some information for you right now,' Mike Haracz, who worked at the Golden Arches until 2019, said in a TikTok video. Advertisement 'It is magic, nobody believes me when I tell them about this magic of what goes on the McDonald's burgers.' McDonald's customers wanted to know what the 'magical' seasoning used on the burgers was. Denis Chubchenko – So what exactly is this sorcery? Advertisement It's simply salt and pepper. 'There's literally no other things in it,' Haracz said, adding that it's 86% salt and 14% pepper. He explained that this is what's used on the 'tender' burgers, including the cheeseburger, the McDouble, the double cheeseburger, the Big Mac and Quarter Pounders. Mike Haracz, who worked at the Golden Arches until 2019, revealed the seasoning is just salt and pepper. 8th – Advertisement Haracz even dramatically suggested that those who don't believe this should 'go sue them, go test them…if you're so smart and don't believe me, somebody who is in fact a former McDonald's employee.' He said that someone could bring the burger to an independent lab and it would prove to be true. Advertisement McDonald's includes the ingredients of salt and black pepper on their website, which Haracz stated they legally have to do. 'Prepared With Grill Seasoning (salt, Black Pepper),' the ingredient list reads.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
McDonald's announces major store change to win back customers
It is no secret that McDonald's (MCD) is in a tough battle with weak consumer demand. Ever since the fast-food chain faced controversy last year for hiking its menu prices and suffered an E. coli outbreak in a few of its restaurant locations, consumers have been pulling back. In McDonald's first-quarter earnings report for 2025, it revealed that its U.S. comparable sales decreased by 3.6% year-over-year. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Also, according to recent data from foot traffic in McDonald's stores fell by 2.6% during the quarter. Related: McDonald's CEO sounds alarm on major customer problem During an earnings call on May 1, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that consumers are cutting their spending on fast food more than previously expected. "We entered 2025 knowing that it would be a challenging time for the QSR industry due to macroeconomic uncertainty and pressures weighing on the consumer," said Kempczinski. "During the first quarter, geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected." Image source:Amid this alarming consumer trend, McDonald's has been making several bold attempts to attract back customers. In its latest effort, the fast-food chain has announced that it will be extending its hours at restaurant locations nationwide, according to a new report from QSR Magazine. Many McDonald's locations will now be open 24/7, while others will remain open past midnight. This move allows it to compete directly with rivals such as Jack in the Box, Waffle House, and Whataburger, which are open 24 hours. Related: McDonald's announces return of beloved menu item "Our fans know there's no better way to end an unforgettable night than by feasting on your favorite McDonald's order," said McDonald's spokesperson in a statement to QSR. "That's why, as the summer season kicks off, we're excited to offer up more ways for customers to satisfy their late-night cravings with more choices and expanded hours at more restaurants." The change comes shortly after McDonald's announced that it will hire up to 375,000 new employees across the country this summer as it plans to open 900 new U.S. restaurant locations by 2027. Recently, McDonald's has been relying on deals and the return of fan-favorite menu items to boost its struggling sales. Last summer, the fast-food chain launched its $5 Meal Deal, which offers a meal that consists of a McChicken, four-piece chicken nuggets or a McDouble, along with fries and a drink. It then launched the McValue menu earlier this year, which introduced its Buy One, Add One for $1 deal. In this deal, customers can buy a "full-priced" menu item from the McValue menu and purchase one more item of their choice for $1. More Food + Dining: Domino's Pizza unveils generous deal amid alarming consumer trendSteak 'n Shake's beef tallow fries aren't as healthy as they appearThe Cheesecake Factory makes bittersweet changes to its menu According to Kempczinski, the Buy One, Add One for $1 deal hasn't been performing as well as the $5 Meal Deal. "When you look at the Buy One, Add One for $1, I'd say our view on that is it's performing okay, but frankly, it's not driving nearly the amount of incrementality that we're seeing with the buy one or with the $5 Meal Deal," said Kempczinski during the May 1 earnings call. McDonald's also recently hyped the return of its popular Snack Wrap onto menus, which is essentially chicken tenders, lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. It was previously discontinued in 2016. The fast-food chain also permanently added McCrispy Strips to its menus earlier this month, which is a revamped version of its discontinued Chicken Selects. In addition, McDonald's announced the return of Happy Meals with Squishmallow toys last week, a menu item with a massive cult following. These will only be available on McDonald's menus nationwide for a limited time. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Indianapolis Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
McDonald's suffers decline in US sales amid volatile economy, worst since 2020
A reduction of low and middle-income customers is one of the main reasons for the drop in sales, Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's chairman and CEO, said during an earnings call. McDonald's is the latest fast food chain to report a decrease in sales amid a turbulent and volatile U.S. economy impacted by tariffs and inflation. The Chicago, Illinois-headquartered chain announced the decline on May 1 in an earnings report that shared results of its first quarter, which ended on March 31. According to the report, McDonald's had a 3% drop in revenue, and same-store sales in the U.S. dropped 3.6% from the prior year, marking the most significant decline since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 'McDonald's has a 70-year legacy of innovation, leadership, and proven agility, all of which give us confidence in our ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share," Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's chairman and CEO, said in the report. "Consumers today are grappling with uncertainty, but they can always count on McDonald's for both exciting new menu items and delicious favorites for exceptional value, from a brand they love.' Like McDonald's, other fast food chains are experiencing similar economic issues, with some even closing or considering closing locations, such as Jack in the Box, Wendy's and Burger King. The number of struggling chains could grow as they begin to feel the effects of President Donald Trump 's tariffs, which are expected to make ingredients even more pricey over time. Why is McDonald's experiencing a decline in sales? During an earnings call, Kempczinski attributed the decrease in sales to the volatility of the fast food industry and a drop in lower and middle-income customers compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, higher-income traffic remains steady, which the McDonald's CEO said illustrates "the divided U.S. economy where low and middle-income consumers in particular are being weighed down by the cumulative impact of inflation and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook." What is McDonald's doing to increase sales? According to Kempczinski, McDonald's is "expanding and refining" its value items to meet the needs of low and middle-income customers. He added that McDonald's now has "everyday affordable price menus" and "entry-level meal bundles" in each of its big five internationally operated markets. The fast food chain does offer a McValue menu, which includes items like the McDouble, McChicken and 4-piece Chicken McNuggets at discounted prices. Additionally, McDonald's $5 Meal Deal offers a variety of classic meals. "These are the building blocks of what good value means to us," Kempczinski said. Kempczinski also said McDonald's intends to continue introducing "innovative new products" like the McCripsy Strips, and executing "world-class promotional and marketing campaigns" to bring customers back. He referenced the partnership McDonald's did in conjunction with the "Minecraft Movie," which included in-store collectibles for "fans young and old." Are all fast food chains experiencing a decline in sales? While McDonald's and others are feeling the weight of the struggling U.S. economy, some other fast food chains are not, including Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The chains reported an increase in guest traffic due to recent promotional deals they've been pushing. Yum! Brands, Inc., which owns KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill, reported its first quarter ended (March 31) with an overall 13% increase. Taco Bell U.S. same-store sales growth was 9%, while KFC International's same-store sales grew 7%.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
McDonald's suffers decline in US sales amid volatile economy, worst since 2020
McDonald's suffers decline in US sales amid volatile economy, worst since 2020 A reduction of low and middle-income customers is one of the main reasons for the drop in sales, Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's chairman and CEO, said during an earnings call. Show Caption Hide Caption McDonald's Egg McMuffin marks 50th anniversary As egg prices surge, McDonald's honors the Egg McMuffin's 50th anniversary by offering discounts and avoiding surcharges. Scripps News McDonald's is the latest fast food chain to report a decrease in sales amid a turbulent and volatile U.S. economy impacted by tariffs and inflation. The Chicago, Illinois-headquartered chain announced the decline on May 1 in an earnings report that shared results of its first quarter, which ended on March 31. According to the report, McDonald's had a 3% drop in revenue, and same-store sales in the U.S. dropped 3.6% from the prior year, marking the most significant decline since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 'McDonald's has a 70-year legacy of innovation, leadership, and proven agility, all of which give us confidence in our ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share," Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's chairman and CEO, said in the report. "Consumers today are grappling with uncertainty, but they can always count on McDonald's for both exciting new menu items and delicious favorites for exceptional value, from a brand they love.' Like McDonald's, other fast food chains are experiencing similar economic issues, with some even closing or considering closing locations, such as Jack in the Box, Wendy's and Burger King. The number of struggling chains could grow as they begin to feel the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs, which are expected to make ingredients even more pricey over time. Why is McDonald's experiencing a decline in sales? During an earnings call, Kempczinski attributed the decrease in sales to the volatility of the fast food industry and a drop in lower and middle-income customers compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, higher-income traffic remains steady, which the McDonald's CEO said illustrates "the divided U.S. economy where low and middle-income consumers in particular are being weighed down by the cumulative impact of inflation and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook." What is McDonald's doing to increase sales? According to Kempczinski, McDonald's is "expanding and refining" its value items to meet the needs of low and middle-income customers. He added that McDonald's now has "everyday affordable price menus" and "entry-level meal bundles" in each of its big five internationally operated markets. The fast food chain does offer a McValue menu, which includes items like the McDouble, McChicken and 4-piece Chicken McNuggets at discounted prices. Additionally, McDonald's $5 Meal Deal offers a variety of classic meals. "These are the building blocks of what good value means to us," Kempczinski said. Kempczinski also said McDonald's intends to continue introducing "innovative new products" like the McCripsy Strips, and executing "world-class promotional and marketing campaigns" to bring customers back. He referenced the partnership McDonald's did in conjunction with the "Minecraft Movie," which included in-store collectibles for "fans young and old." Are all fast food chains experiencing a decline in sales? While McDonald's and others are feeling the weight of the struggling U.S. economy, some other fast food chains are not, including Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The chains reported an increase in guest traffic due to recent promotional deals they've been pushing. Yum! Brands, Inc., which owns KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill, reported its first quarter ended (March 31) with an overall 13% increase. Taco Bell U.S. same-store sales growth was 9%, while KFC International's same-store sales grew 7%.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's suffers decline in US sales amid volatile economy, worst since 2020
McDonald's is the latest fast food chain to report a decrease in sales amid a turbulent and volatile U.S. economy impacted by tariffs and inflation. The Chicago, Illinois-headquartered chain announced the decline on May 1 in an earnings report that shared results of its first quarter, which ended on March 31. According to the report, McDonald's had a 3% drop in revenue, and same-store sales in the U.S. dropped 3.6% from the prior year, marking the most significant decline since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 'McDonald's has a 70-year legacy of innovation, leadership, and proven agility, all of which give us confidence in our ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share," Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's chairman and CEO, said in the report. "Consumers today are grappling with uncertainty, but they can always count on McDonald's for both exciting new menu items and delicious favorites for exceptional value, from a brand they love.' Like McDonald's, other fast food chains are experiencing similar economic issues, with some even closing or considering closing locations, such as Jack in the Box, Wendy's and Burger King. The number of struggling chains could grow as they begin to feel the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs, which are expected to make ingredients even more pricey over time. During an earnings call, Kempczinski attributed the decrease in sales to the volatility of the fast food industry and a drop in lower and middle-income customers compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, higher-income traffic remains steady, which the McDonald's CEO said illustrates "the divided U.S. economy where low and middle-income consumers in particular are being weighed down by the cumulative impact of inflation and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook." According to Kempczinski, McDonald's is "expanding and refining" its value items to meet the needs of low and middle-income customers. He added that McDonald's now has "everyday affordable price menus" and "entry-level meal bundles" in each of its big five internationally operated markets. The fast food chain does offer a McValue menu, which includes items like the McDouble, McChicken and 4-piece Chicken McNuggets at discounted prices. Additionally, McDonald's $5 Meal Deal offers a variety of classic meals. "These are the building blocks of what good value means to us," Kempczinski said. Kempczinski also said McDonald's intends to continue introducing "innovative new products" like the McCripsy Strips, and executing "world-class promotional and marketing campaigns" to bring customers back. He referenced the partnership McDonald's did in conjunction with the "Minecraft Movie," which included in-store collectibles for "fans young and old." While McDonald's and others are feeling the weight of the struggling U.S. economy, some other fast food chains are not, including Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The chains reported an increase in guest traffic due to recent promotional deals they've been pushing. Yum! Brands, Inc., which owns KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill, reported its first quarter ended (March 31) with an overall 13% increase. Taco Bell U.S. same-store sales growth was 9%, while KFC International's same-store sales grew 7%. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald's US sales drop amid struggling economy
