Dive Brief:
- McDonald’s said Tuesday it will launch its Big Arch Burger on March 3 in the U.S. for a limited time, with the company calling it the “biggest and boldest burger yet.”
- The burger includes two quarter pound beef patties, three slices of melted white cheddar cheese, crispy and slivered onions, lettuce, pickles and toasted buns with sesame and poppy seeds.
- The launch is part of the chain’s strategy to improve food quality across its burger, beverage and chicken categories, Jill McDonald, executive vice president and global chief restaurant experience officer, said during a February earnings call.
Dive Insight:
McDonald’s originally piloted the Big Arch burger in several international markets a year and a half ago, per McDonald. The burger did so well in the United Kingdom that McDonald’s added it to the core menu per the earnings call.
“Customers are responding to this delicious, more satisfying burger that meets their demand for something heartier while still feeling distinctly McDonald's,” McDonald said.
While it is currently an LTO in the U.S., the chain said in an email that it will listen to its customers and won’t rule out adding the Big Arch to the core menu.
“We see potential to continue scaling this platform as we strengthen our position within this tier of the beef category,” McDonald said.
The company has also been introducing its Best Burger platform, which McDonald said “is the key to hotter, juicier and even tastier burgers.” That item was available in 85 markets as of Feb. 11. It is on track to be available in nearly all markets by the end of this year, McDonald said.
Recent product launches have performed well at McDonald’s, and its Big Arch and Best Burger expansions could help drive additional sales growth. The company saw strong performance from its Snack Wrap return in the U.S. and the debut of McWings in Australia last year, CEO Chris Kempczinski said during the February call.
McDonald’s is also in the midst of expanding its beverage category, launching new drinks through its McCafe lineup and working on new flavor combinations and cooking techniques with the chicken category, McDonald said.
New products, along with its upgraded value platform and successful promotions helped the company achieve U.S. same-stores sales growth of 6.8% in Q4 2025 and 2.1% for the full year.
