McDonald’s tries kale on the menu

McDonald’s is testing two breakfast bowls in Southern California, one of which features turkey sausage, egg white, kale and spinach, a McDonald’s spokesperson told Reuters. The other breakfast bowl features chorizo and egg, and both have a price of around $4.

Kale has gained popularity as a “superfood” in recent years, with retail sales increasing at a compound annual rate of 56.6 percent from 2009 to 2013, research by Nielsen shows.

News of the test broke Wednesday, the same day McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook was addressed in a public letter by Freshii CEO Matthew Corrin, who encouraged a McDonald’s partnership with the health-oriented chain known for its salads and wraps.

It also comes at a time when McDonald’s is seeking to reinvent its public image and make sweeping changes. Last week, Easterbrook announced a plan to turn the chain into a “modern, progressive burger company.” Meanwhile, efforts to streamline its menu and improve customer service are also underway.
 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Despite their complaints, customers keep flocking to Chipotle

The Bottom Line: The chain continued to be a juggernaut last quarter, with strong sales and traffic growth, despite frequent social media complaints about shrinkflation or other challenges.

Operations

Hitting resistance elsewhere, ghost kitchens and virtual concepts find a happy home in family dining

Reality Check: Old-guard chains are finding the alternative operations to be persistently effective side hustles.

Financing

The Tijuana Flats bankruptcy highlights the dangers of menu miscues

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain’s problems following new menu debuts in 2021 and 2022 show that adding new items isn’t always the right idea.

Trending

More from our partners