Former McDonald's chef claims chain 'refuses to sell Big Mac sauce in stores'

01 November 2023 , 10:33

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Don't expect to find Big Mac sauce on the shelves of any shops anytime soon (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

McDonald's refuses to sell Big Mac sauce and other products in retail outlets because the owners of their restaurants would want a cut of any profits, a top former employee has claimed. According to chefmikeharacz, the people who hold the franchises for the restaurants feel that because they have helped the world-famous fast-food chain build their brand, if McDonald's were to sell products in normal shops and not in the outlets, they should be able to cash in too.

The top corporate chef speculated that bosses of the chain "or the manufacturer wants profit, but layer on top that owner operators want a cut as well", adding that "means that it will be incredibly expensive". However, users of the social media site had differing opinions on whether this theory was correct or not. Chef Mike also claimed that when McDonald's did sell their McCafe out with the restaurants, it enraged franchise holders as they did not get a cut of profits.

The former employee asked on TikTok: "Why do you think McDonald's doesn't sell things like Mac sauce in stores, or other sauces? I have a theory because I'm not 100 percent sure. But I am aware that when McCafe came out in stores, you know the coffee brand, the coffee cups, owner operators were very upset because they think that they deserve a piece of the profits from that.

"I'm not here to agree or disagree, I have my opinions of course, but they say because they've invested all the time, money and resources to build the brand equity that they deserve money from any retail sold items – so let's say Big Mac sauce if they wanted to sell it in stores, you know, it's cost a certain amount of money to make it – what are you going to charge when it's on the store shelves?

"McDonald's or the manufacturer wants profit, but layer on top that owner/operators want a cut as well, means that it will be incredibly expensive whatever it might be so I don't think McDonald's is going to move into retail world anytime soon.

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"Also in the long run it might get consumers not to go to McDonald's as much because they could get similar items at the store, but fast food is very convenient so I'm not 100 percent sure that is a valid reason, but I think one of the main reasons is owner operators."

Users of the site were split on his theory, with one saying: "I get what your saying, but also Taco Bell seems to be excelling with in-store products," while another said: "But they do at least they did? In Canada we had Mac sauce, McChicken sauce and fillet of fish sauce in stores. They just don’t sell very well. Another Canadian poster disagreed about it not selling very well, saying: "They do sell it in Ontario at Costco my mother actually buys it and its amazing! The Big Mac sauce."

And others had their own theories about why McDonald's won't do retail, with one saying: "I would think it's to keep the customers buying food in restaurant instead of just buying the stuff from Walmart and making their own. Another said: "I think they don't sell it because it would damage the bottom line. If a party can get sauce and then just make food at home it will affect sales a lot." And one backed the owner/operators, saying: "I do think if owner/operators can show a loss in profit because an item is released in retail, they should be compensated."

Paul Donald