Few McDonald's menu items are as hefty as the Big Mac. It's a stack of two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, special sauce, and pickles. All on a triple-tiered sesame seed bun.
But a new burger is coming to McDonald's. It will rival the Big Mac in size. Chain executives revealed their bigger burger plans in December 2023.
They want to pilot an extra-large sandwich in a few global markets in 2024. "We think we're going to be able to deliver a great tasting large burger at a superior value to what [customers] can get anywhere else," said CEO Chris Kempczinski.
McDonald's kept details of the new burger under wraps. But during a July 29 earnings call, they unveiled some exciting news. The burger is officially called the "Big Arch."
Senior Vice President Mike Cieplak described it. "It will feature two beef patties perfectly layered with melting cheese, crispy toppings, and a tangy McDonald's sauce." He added, "It's a quintessential McDonald's burger with a twist on our iconic, familiar flavors."
The Big Arch will be piloted in three international markets this year. Cieplak didn't reveal which ones. They plan to learn from these test runs before a wider rollout. Customers should keep their eyes peeled throughout 2024.
Meanwhile, McDonald's has other new options. They recently introduced the Kit Kat Banana Split McFlurry (540 calories). They also brought back the Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with Cheese (680 calories). Both are available for a limited time.
Many franchisees extended the limited-time $5 Meal Deal. It includes a 4-piece order of Chicken McNuggets (170 calories), fries (230 calories per small order), a drink, and either a McChicken (400 calories) or a McDouble (400 calories). This deal became a hit after its June launch.