The Big Mac is facing big changes as McDonald's will sell two new versions of its most-recognized sandwich for a limited time in its restaurants across the United States in early 2017.
While the ingredients will basically stay the same, McDonald's will sell the miniature Mac Jr., with one 1/6-pound patty and the heftier Grand Mac, that will use two 1/6-pound patties, according to Buzz Feed News. The iconic Big Mac is served with two 1/10-pound patties, noted the website.
"The Big Mac is a legend and a great-tasting burger with hints of pickle relish, mustard, garlic and onions," McDonald’s Chef Mike Haracz said in a statement, according to the Business Insider. "We listened to our customers who told us they wanted different ways to enjoy the one-of-a-kind Big Mac taste. The classic combination of ingredients remains timeless and customers around the world continue to enjoy its signature taste."
Haracz told Buzz Feed that both sandwiches were test marketed earlier this year in Ohio and Texas. Business Insiders said the burger giant introduced them in central Ohio and in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
"It was time to launch something like this," Haracz told Buzz Feed, adding that if the sandwiches are successful, they will become a permanent part of the menu. "If they're crushing it, we'll keep it rolling."
Nomura analyst Mark Kalinowski wrote at the time of the testing that it was a positive that McDonald's was willing to chance tinkering with its most iconic product, according to the Business Insider.
"We view the new tests... as a sign of the company's evolving willingness to have no 'untouchables' on the menu," Kalinowski wrote to clients, according to Business Insider. "We look forward to some of the French fry line extensions we've seen overseas (such as McDonald's Australia's Loaded Fries) perhaps being tested stateside one day, if we're fortunate."
Brian Sozzi, of the website The Street, wrote that the changes to the Big Mac don't go far enough.
"But the new family of Big Macs ultimately doesn't do anything to move the iconic burger brand forward," Sozzi wrote for The Street. "Or, to play on (McDonald's chief executive officer Steve) Easterbrook's tag line, the new Big Macs aren't modern or progressive. For starters, both additions don't keep pace with the innovation being grilled up at upstart better burger joints such as Shake Shack or Smashburger."
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