Former McDonald’s Chef Explains Why Popular Chicken Item is Not Offered for Sale

Chef Mike Haracz, a former McDonald’s employee with a substantial TikTok following of over 319,000, recently unveiled the reasons behind the fast-food giant’s decision to remove grilled chicken from its U.S. menu.

His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the company’s menu decisions and customer preferences.

The Grilled Chicken Legacy

The grilled chicken offering at McDonald’s has a long history, first introduced in 1994 with the McGrilled Chicken Classic.

This was followed by the Artisan Grilled Chicken in 2015, and the grilled chicken was also a key ingredient in the popular Snack Wraps, which sadly were taken off the menu in 2020 amidst the pandemic and have not seen a comeback since.

Reasons Behind the Discontinuation

During a recent TikTok session, Haracz addressed a viewer’s query about the absence of grilled chicken options. While supplier and logistical challenges played a role in the removal, he emphasized that low customer demand was the primary factor.

“The truth is, you all didn’t buy enough,” he explained. Menu items need to achieve specific sales thresholds to remain profitable.

According to Haracz, even when healthier choices like grilled chicken and salads were available, customers often gravitated toward less nutritious options.

This trend illustrated that maintaining these offerings was more expensive for McDonald’s due to limited sales from health-conscious consumers.

@chefmikeharaczFormer #McDonalds corporate chef discusses the grilled chicken sandwich options.

Customer Reactions

Despite the explanations, many customers have expressed discontent over the discontinued items in the comments section of Haracz’s video. Some enthusiasts passionately called for the return of the Snack Wraps, recalling their popularity and expressing frustration over their absence.

“Where did the Snack Wraps go? I know we bought those!” commented one user. Another reminisced, “Those premium McWraps were fire back when I worked at a store.”

Looking Ahead

In recent developments, McDonald’s has begun testing chicken strips at select U.S. locations, sparking speculation that beloved menu items like the Snack Wraps might soon return.

This move reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to adapting its menu to satisfy customer cravings while balancing operational efficiency.

For those looking to catch a glimpse of Haracz’s inside scoop, his TikTok channel remains a treasure trove of food industry insights.

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