McDonald’s salad days are officially behind it. The chain, which has cut back on healthier options over the past few years, has no plans to bring back salads or plant-based options to menus nationwide.
McDonald’s U.S. president Joe Erlinger said that the "demand just isn’t there" during remarks at the Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum last week. Though McDonald's began offering salads and other healthier options in the '80s, supply chain shortages during the pandemic forced the company to streamline operations. In June of 2020, McDonald's announced that items such as salads, bagels and yogurt parfaits would remain off the menu for the indefinite future.
Also on the chopping block is the meatless McPlant, which the chain began testing in San Francisco and Dallas markets in 2021. However, it never found success and as such was never introduced to menus nationwide.
"I don’t think the U.S. consumer is coming to McDonald’s looking for the McPlant or other plant-based proteins," Erlinger declared.
However, while healthy and plant-based options are out, the much-hyped, limited-time $5 value meal is apparently a big hit with customers. After launching at select locations nationwide on June 25, the deal—which includes a choice between a McDouble, a McChicken, or a four-piece Chicken McNuggets; small French fries and a small beverage—apparently yielded a staggering amount of orders on its first day.
Sales reportedly grew throughout the day, with Erlinger noting that one location received an order for 90 meals the day the promotion launched. "The energy was palpable in restaurants," he added.
With that reception, perhaps McDonald's will consider making the value meal a permanent addition to its menu, as some competitors have already pledged to do.
