Numerous other chains provide this delightful deep-fried vegetable treat, yet, for some peculiar reason, McDonald's has never introduced it to their continuously expanding menu.
So, what's the reason behind this decision? Well, according to a former McDonald's corporate chef, the restaurant wouldn't even consider selling onion rings because doing so might potentially impact the sales of their famous fries.
@chefmikeharacz Replying to @mikeyday00 Former #McDonalds corporate chef explains why they won’t have onion rings anytime soon. #mcdonaldssecrets #McDonaldssecret #mcdonaldslife #McDonaldsMenu #mcdonaldsfries #mcdonaldsfrenchfries #mcdonaldsfriesaresogood #mcdonaldsfriesmhmm #FastFood #FastFoodSecrets #FrenchFries #Fries #FYP ♬ original sound - Chef Mike Haracz
From Eat This, Not That:
On Sept. 28, Mike Haracz, who previously served as the manager of culinary innovation at McDonald's, took to TikTok to explain why the fast-food chain doesn't serve the popular fried side dish.
"McDonald's is most profitable when it is the most efficient and that efficiency in scale," Haracz said in his video, which has since racked up more than 51,000 views and nearly 225 comments. The chef then went on to explain that if McDonald's started selling onion rings, it would "probably be a limited-time offer" due to "efficiencies." Haracz noted that selling onion rings would reduce the number of people ordering french fries—a menu item he highlighted as "over-the-top profitable" for McDonald's.
Haracz added that the chain currently overcharges for its fries compared to other menu items. A New Jersey location currently sells a small order of fries for $2.99, a medium for $3.89, and a large for $4.89.
Additionally, the chef said McDonald's would likely charge at least an extra dollar for onion rings because it isn't as efficient at making them as it is with french fries.
This strategy isn't limited to onion rings, though. Haracz told The New York Post that offering, say, too many chicken options, would have a similar effect: it would not attract new customers and reduce the volumes of available items, ultimately decreasing their profitability and efficiency.
The chef concluded that he doesn't see McDonald's rolling out onion rings anytime soon.
It appears that McDonald's is more concerned with the pursuit of profit than with offering their customers items they would genuinely enjoy.
What a shocker...
