McDonald’s has unveiled another viral menu item, which might be the most desired yet controversial one so far. However, there’s a reason.
The McFlurry was invented in 1995 by a Canadian McDonald’s franchisee, Ron McLellan, in Bathurst, New Brunswick. Since then, it has become a menu staple and a beloved fan favorite worldwide.
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Because of the McFlurry’s immense success, many fast-food chains have created their own versions to compete with McDonald’s, the industry’s biggest chain.
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Dairy Queen launched the Blizzard in 1985, and it has become its most popular menu item. Sonic introduced its Custard Concretes in 2017. Chick-fil-A released the Cookies & Cream milkshake in 2006, and Wendy’s (WEN) recently debuted the new Frosty Swirls and Frosty Fusions this year.
McDonald’s launches a new menu item.
Image source: Shutterstock
McDonald’s debuts a new McFlurry in honor of its birthday
In celebration of the frozen treat’s 30th anniversary, McDonald’s released the Birthday Cake McFlurry this month. This new menu item features its iconic vanilla soft-serve mixed with frosted cake-flavored confetti cookie dough pieces and birthday cake syrup.
However, there’s a catch to this exciting, limited-time new dessert.
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McDonald’s (MCD) adapts its menu in different countries, featuring items based on foods that are cultural preferences or conveniently available. This is why the Birthday Cake McFlurry will only be available in Canada at the moment.
Just because McDonald’s launches a new menu item in one country doesn’t mean the chain can’t launch it elsewhere. Hence, exclusive menu items may overlap across some countries.
McDonald’s has neither confirmed nor denied that it will bring the Birthday Cake McFlurry to the U.S., but fans can only hope its debut is successful enough in Canada to potentially launch it in the States.
Customers beg McDonald’s to bring this new menu item to U.S.
U.S. social media users have expressed their disappointment about being left out of this McDonald’s dessert launch.
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Hundreds of people bombarded an Instagram post by @mouthattack with comments like “Of course, such a bummer” and “Why can’t they bring it to the U.S.?”
Many users questioned McDonald’s on its loyalty by commenting, “Americans remember, they serve you nothing for your loyalty,” and “This is ridiculous, you weren’t born in Canada, the USA should get this.”
Another user called out the fast-food chain, commenting, “Does McDonald’s just hate Americans since we get no treats?”
A user made light of the situation by commenting, “It’s probably because they can’t keep the ice cream machines running in the U.S.”
The decisions on where and when to launch limited-time menu items or even permanent additions depend on the supply chain, consumer demand, operational efficiency, and production costs, among other decisive factors.
Although McDonald’s may be an American chain, that doesn’t always mean the U.S. will get the best and most desired menu items.
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