McDonald's changing Big Macs to win back customers - 7 major alterations

01 December 2023 , 04:08

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Chris Young, McDonald’s senior director of global menu strategy, said changes were being made to maximise on taste and quality (Image: DDP/AFP via Getty Images)

McDonald’s is set to give its iconic Big Mac burger a makeover - with a host of changes, some more unusual than others.

Changes include everything from how the burger is cooked, how many are grilled at a time and how ingredients are handled before even making it into the bun. Changes are reportedly being made to compete with the ever-growing gourmet burger market.

In a spring advert campaign, the global fast food powerhouse promises “best burgers ever,” the new initiative seeks to make patties juicier — with over 50 modifications. Chris Young, McDonald’s senior director of global menu strategy, said changes were being made to maximise on taste and quality.

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He told the Wall Street Journal: "We can do it quick, fast and safe, but it doesn’t necessarily taste great. So, we want to incorporate quality into where we’re at. Chef Chad Schafer had been tinkering with a new methodology for burger flipping at the test kitchen at McDonald’s Chicago headquarters.

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In a spring advert campaign, the global fast food powerhouse promises “best burgers ever,” the new initiative seeks to make patties juicier (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Schafer said of the revamped burger: "One is hotter…It looks meltier. Look at how my fingers sink into the bun. Smell it and you smell a big difference,” Schafer said of the revamped burger. This one, it’s kind of dry. It cracks…And this is the best-case example at headquarters."

The new version was tested in Australia and is being rolled out at the chain’s 13,460 US locations, starting with the West Coast and Midwest. The plan is to have all US stores ketchup by early 2024, reports the New York Post.

Among the planned changes are:

• Six patties will be grilled at a time instead of eight for the auto-cooking mechanism to apply less pressure and retain more burger patty juices
• Big Macs will get more sauce
• Buttery brioche buns will be used and sliced with a thicker bottom to retain heat
• Sesame seeds will be more randomly scattered on buns to give a homier look
• Cheese will be taken out of refrigerators sooner so it melts more during cooking
• Onions will be rehydrated after purchase for more juiciness
• Lettuce and pickles will be stored in smaller containers so they must be refreshed more often

The new version was tested in Australia and is being rolled out at the chain’s 13,460 US locations (Getty Images)

McDonald's is also bringing back it's adult happy meals, first launched last year. With each one comes with a very special toy: a modern take on the beloved McNugget Buddies toys that ’80s and ’90s kids cherished.

Each box came with one of four collectible figurines of beloved McDonald’s characters. They caused mayhem in the drive-thru, according to McDonald’s workers, and quickly sold out. Shortly thereafter, resellers listed them for upwards of $300,000 on eBay, according to TODAY.

This time around, the chain is working with Kerwin Frost, a creative director and DJ known for his epic street style. The Kerwin Frost Box will be available at participating McDonald’s locations in the U.S. and other select markets across the globe starting Dec. 11, while supplies last.

Abigail O'Leary