McDonald’s is adding its first new permanent addition to its menu in four years

CNN - Apr 24th, 2025

McDonald's is set to reintroduce its McCrispy Strips on May 5, marking the return of its chicken tenders after a five-year hiatus. This move comes as McDonald's aims to compete with chicken-centric chains like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop, which have seen significant growth in chicken sales. The McCrispy Strips, made from all-white meat chicken and coated in crispy breading, will be available in three or four-piece servings, accompanied by various sauces, including a new Creamy Chili dip. This reintroduction is part of McDonald's strategy to recapture consumer interest and boost sales, especially after discontinuing the item in 2020 to streamline its menu during the pandemic.

The return of the McCrispy Strips highlights McDonald's response to consumer demand and its efforts to remain competitive in the fast-food industry. With chicken becoming increasingly popular among consumers, McDonald's seeks to regain market share lost to competitors by catering to fan requests and expanding its menu options. This strategic decision could potentially improve McDonald's financial performance, which has been challenged by perceptions of high pricing. Additionally, the reintroduction of the chicken strips sets the stage for the anticipated return of the Snack Wrap, another popular item that uses the same chicken tenders. McDonald's will report its earnings on May 1, and this menu expansion could play a role in shaping its future growth prospects.

Mc Donald's Fast Food Industry Chicken Strips Alyssa Buetikofer Raising Cane's Wingstop Consumer Demand

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RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively communicates McDonald's strategic response to market trends by reintroducing its chicken strips, supported by accurate factual details and a clear narrative. However, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, including competitor insights and consumer feedback, to provide a more balanced and comprehensive view. The reliance on corporate sources limits its depth and impartiality, while the lack of transparency about market data and financial claims affects its credibility. Despite these limitations, the article is timely and relevant, addressing current industry dynamics and consumer interests. Enhancing source diversity and transparency could significantly improve its quality and impact.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports on McDonald's reintroduction of chicken strips, aligning with verified announcements and industry reports. Claims about the popularity of chicken in the fast-food sector and McDonald's competitive challenges are consistent with market trends. The article correctly states the product details, such as the McCrispy Strips' composition and the new sauces offered. However, the statement about McDonald's financial struggles due to high prices lacks specific data, although it is broadly supported by customer perception trends. Overall, the story's factual basis is strong, with minor areas needing more precise data.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on McDonald's perspective, highlighting its strategic decisions and marketing statements without much input from competitors or industry analysts. While it mentions competitors like Raising Cane's and Wingstop, it does not explore their perspectives or market strategies. The story could benefit from a more balanced view by including insights from industry experts or consumer opinions to provide a broader understanding of the fast-food chicken market dynamics.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey McDonald's product reintroduction and market strategy. The logical flow from market trends to McDonald's response is easy to follow, and the tone remains neutral and informative. However, the article could enhance clarity by providing more context about the competitive landscape and specific financial data to support claims about McDonald's pricing challenges. Overall, the article is accessible and understandable to a general audience.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on McDonald's announcements and statements from its marketing officer, which are credible but represent the company's viewpoint. There is a lack of diverse sources, such as independent market analysts or consumer feedback, which could enhance the article's depth and reliability. The reliance on corporate sources may limit the story's impartiality and depth, suggesting a need for more varied perspectives to strengthen source quality.

Transparency

The article provides clear information about McDonald's product relaunch and strategic intentions but lacks transparency in explaining the broader market context and the methodology behind its claims, such as customer demand or financial struggles. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or the basis for its market trend observations, which could affect the reader's understanding of the article's impartiality. Greater transparency about the sources of market data and consumer insights would improve the article's credibility.