The revamp encompasses improvements such as adopting softer buns, cooking onions directly onto the beef patties, and enhancing the cheese for a delectable, melty experience. This overhaul extends across the entire lineup of iconic burgers, including the Big Mac, McDouble, classic cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, and hamburger.
From Eat This, Not That:
Young told The Wall Street Journal on Nov. 30 that the chain is making more than 50 upgrades to its burgers—the biggest improvements to McDonald's core menu items in decades, the publication reported. And while most of the details are still under wraps, we do know that the beef patties will be cooked in smaller batches to give them a more consistent sear, while the burgers will come with more Big Mac sauce, meltier cheese, and fresher lettuce and pickles. McDonald's will also start using new buttery brioche buns with sesame seeds.
The chain remains a giant in the fast-food industry and continues to rake in major sales, but struggles to maintain a positive reputation with its customers. This year's American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Restaurant Study, for example, showed McDonald's receiving the lowest customer satisfaction score (69%) out of all the fast-food chains considered this year, indicating that customers haven't been completely happy with their experiences at the Golden Arches.
McDonald's has also faced plenty of backlash from customers over rising prices this year and becoming less affordable. During the third quarter of 2023, the chain saw declines in customer traffic in the United States as lower-income consumers worried about their food budgets. Meanwhile, the company is also facing stronger-than-ever competition from higher-end burger chains like Five Guys and Shake Shack, the WSJ reported.
McDonald's is undeniably an iconic fast-food spot, but let's face it—with superior choices like Five Guys and the like, the competition is pretty tough.
Perhaps, they'll need to step up their game beyond just opting for softer buns to stay in the race.
