McDonald’s adds McCrispy Strips to U.S. core menu in first permanent addition since 2021

USA – McDonald’s, the world’s largest QSR chain, has announced that it will introduce McCrispy Strips to its permanent U.S. menu starting May 5, marking the brand’s first major core menu addition in four years.

The launch represents a significant expansion of McDonald’s McCrispy lineup and highlights its continued investment in chicken offerings.

Industry experts believe that McDonald’s expanded chicken menu could help shield the brand from competitive pressures posed by rapidly growing chicken-focused QSRs.

Chicken has become a major sales driver across the fast-food industry, prompting McDonald’s to restructure its innovation teams by creating a division solely dedicated to chicken product development, alongside others for beef and desserts.

Rival Wendy’s has also shifted its innovation focus toward chicken, while chains such as Wingstop and Raising Cane’s, both specializing in chicken, are currently among the fastest-growing major restaurant brands, according to Circana data.

McDonald’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Alyssa Buetikofer, noted that the demand for chicken strips across the industry had been substantial, and said the company knew it had to deliver a product that was “craveable” and worth the wait.

Cesar Piña, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, emphasized the level of collaboration required among suppliers, franchisees, and corporate teams to bring new products to market.

He stated that McDonald’s holds itself to the highest standards and strives to offer customers only the best.

Alongside the launch of McCrispy Strips, McDonald’s is introducing a new permanent dipping sauce, the Creamy Chili Dip, which will accompany the chicken strips.

Customers will be able to purchase the strips in either three- or four-piece portions.

The move comes at a critical time for McDonald’s, which needs a fresh culinary success.

Although the Chicken Big Mac promotion and the US$5 Meal Deal saw initial popularity, a consumer pullback following an E. Coli outbreak linked to contaminated onions on Quarter Pounders dampened momentum.

This McCrispy Strips launch is also the first major menu addition since McDonald’s established its dedicated restaurant experience teams in March, signaling a strategic push to regain culinary excitement and consumer loyalty.

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