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Fast Food Menu Items We Lost in 2020
Last year, the fast food industry faced significant challenges due to the global coronavirus pandemic. As restaurants adjusted to new health and safety protocols and navigated changes in ingredient availability, many were forced to make menu changes to stay competitive in a changing world. Unfortunately, this meant saying goodbye to some beloved menu items that had become fan favorites over the years.
KFC Potato Wedges
One of the most notable losses in 2020 was KFC’s Potato Wedges. For decades, KFC had offered a variety of sides, including mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, corn, biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and potato wedges. But in December 2019, the company announced that potato wedges would be removed from the menu. By June 2020, they were gone. This decision was part of KFC’s streamlining efforts, as the company introduced Secret Recipe Fries as a replacement. The new fries are seasoned with KFC’s secret blend of herbs and spices, giving customers a different taste experience.
McDonald’s All Day Breakfast (most locations)
McDonald’s All Day Breakfast was a popular menu option for those who craved breakfast food at any time of the day. However, in March 2020, McDonald’s temporarily stopped offering the all-day breakfast menu as part of its efforts to streamline operations during the pandemic. While there were plans to bring it back, franchisees voted overwhelmingly against its return. The absence of all-day breakfast allowed McDonald’s to focus on improving the quality and speed of service. Although some locations have reintroduced limited breakfast menus, it remains uncertain whether all-day breakfast will return nationwide.
McDonald’s Salads
Salads have been a casualty of McDonald’s menu streamlining. As restaurants prioritized the most profitable and easy-to-sell items for their drive-thrus, salads didn’t make the cut. McDonald’s salads were large, required refrigeration, and had a short shelf life. They also added complexity to order accuracy and preparation time. Additionally, McDonald’s had faced challenges with expired salads in the past, including a cyclospora outbreak in 2018. As a result, the decision was made to remove the salads from the menu, and it seems unlikely that they will return in the near future.
McDonald’s bagels (though some locations got lucky)
In 2020, many McDonald’s locations removed breakfast bagels from their menus. While there is a possibility that bagels will return in the future, it remains uncertain. Some Canadian locations may still offer them. If you’re a fan of McDonald’s breakfast bagels, it’s worth checking with your local franchise to see if they’re available. However, breakfast bagels weren’t among the top offerings on McDonald’s breakfast menu, so there are plenty of other options to choose from until they potentially make a comeback.
McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders
McDonald’s has had an on-again, off-again relationship with chicken tenders. In 2020, Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders were taken off the menu. Despite their popularity when they were first introduced in 2017, they didn’t survive the menu changes brought on by the pandemic. It’s unclear when, or if, chicken tenders will return to McDonald’s. However, chicken fans can still enjoy McNuggets and the recently reintroduced Spicy McNuggets.
McDonald’s Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
McDonald’s Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich, known as a healthier option on the fast food menu, also disappeared in 2020. The grilled chicken sandwich was removed as part of McDonald’s efforts to streamline its menu during the pandemic. While grilled chicken was off the menu, McDonald’s introduced several new crispy fried chicken sandwiches in 2021 to compete with other fast food chains. Although the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich may not return, there are now alternative chicken sandwich options available at McDonald’s.
Unfortunately, the fast food industry had to make some tough choices in 2020 due to the effects of the pandemic. While some menu items may have been lost, new offerings have emerged and the industry continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences and demands. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how fast food menus evolve and what new favorites may emerge in the future.
FAQS
Fast-food restaurants faced challenges during the pandemic, including reduced staffing, increased security measures, and disruptions in ingredient availability. To streamline operations and focus on top-performing items, they made the difficult decision to eliminate certain menu items.
Why were KFC’s potato skins taken off the menu?
As part of their streamlining efforts, KFC made the decision to remove Potato Wedges from their menu. As a replacement, they introduced Secret Recipe Fries, which are seasoned with KFC’s secret blend of herbs and spices.
Will McDonald’s bring back all-day breakfast?
While McDonald’s temporarily suspended its all-day breakfast menu during the pandemic, franchisees voted against its return. Although some locations may offer limited breakfast menus, it remains uncertain whether all-day breakfast will make a nationwide comeback.
Why were salads taken off the McDonald’s menu?
McDonald’s removed salads from its menu as part of its streamlining efforts. Salads required refrigeration, had a short shelf life, and added complexity to order accuracy and preparation time. In addition, McDonald’s had faced challenges with expired salads in the past.
Do McDonald’s breakfast bagels still exist?
In 2020, many McDonald’s locations removed breakfast bagels from their menus. While some Canadian locations may still offer them, it’s best to check with your local franchise to see if they are available.
What happened to McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders?
McDonald’s removed its Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders from the menu in 2020. The decision was part of the menu changes brought on by the pandemic. It’s unclear when or if the chicken tenders will return to McDonald’s.