Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when the new version turns out to be better than the original, some may want to avoid that situation as much as possible.
McDonald’s has been the master of the chicken Snack Wraps for 19 years. However, a chicken-focused chain has created its own version, threatening to strip away McDonald’s long-held title.
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With many emerging businesses and never-ending menu launches, competition in the food industry is more challenging than ever, especially while navigating an uncertain economy and slowdown in consumer spending.
Related: Popular chicken chain brings back beloved menu item after 7 years
But when times get tough, survival of the fittest begins to feel like the only way to make ends meet, and a rival chain has chosen to take that route to destroy its rivals.
McDonald’s gets its upcoming Snack Wrap rerelease stolen by a rival chain.
Image Source: Chip East/Bloomberg via Getty Image
McDonald’s teases the return of the beloved Snack Wraps
The McDonald’s (MCD) Snack Wrap was introduced nationwide in 2006 and quickly became a fan favorite. However, due to operational difficulties, it was discontinued in 2016, devastating thousands of customers.
After much pleading, McDonald’s returned the Snack Wrap for a limited time across select locations nationwide in 2020, but by the end of that year, it had vanished once again.
Related: McDonald’s brings back unexpected breakfast item after 6 years
Years passed without mentioning the Snack Wraps until McDonald’s announced in February that it was planning the nationwide return of the popular menu item, along with other chicken-focused offerings, but didn’t provide a specific date for the relaunch.
Two months later, McDonald’s made a cryptic post on all its social media platforms with the date “snack wraps 0x.14.2025,” building excitement around the highly anticipated release. This means the Snack Wraps could return as soon as the 14th of June, July, August, or September of this year.
Popeyes gets ahead of the McDonald’s Snack Wrap launch
McDonald’s has teased the relaunch of the Snack Wraps for so long that it seems like it might never happen, so Popeyes decided to get ahead of the game by taking advantage of the momentum.
Popeyes has launched the new Chicken Wraps, each featuring a hand-breaded and battered chicken tender, lettuce, shredded cheese, and pickles, topped with either Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread, all wrapped inside a tortilla inspired by its biscuits. There is also a Blackened Chicken version exclusively available on the app and online.
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To wash it all down, Popeyes is also introducing a new beverage lineup featuring blueberry flavors. These include frozen or chilled Blueberry Lemonade, Blueberry Cane Sweet Tea, and Blueberry Unsweet Tea.
All three new Chicken Wraps and the entire beverage lineup are available for a limited time at all participating locations nationwide, as stated on the Popeyes website.
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