Latest news with #SpicyMcMuffin
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's new spicy breakfast items are here: How long they're available
McDonald's is unveiling a series of new options to help "spice up" its breakfast menu as part of the fast food chain's 50th anniversary celebrations for the McMuffin. The three new spicy breakfast menu items include the Spicy McMuffin, Spicy Sausage McMuffin and Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg. The items will feature their traditional ingredients – cheese, egg, Canadian bacon or sausage and a buttered English muffin, topped with Spicy Pepper Sauce, according to a news release from McDonald's. The items are available beginning July 8 for a limited time at participating locations, according to the fast food chain. McDonald's launched the Egg McMuffin in 1975. The breakfast item was the brainchild of Herb Peterson, a McDonald's franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Herb, according to previous USA TODAY reporting, presented the sandwich as a to-go version of a diner classic: Eggs Benedict. Roy Kroc, the businessman who transformed McDonald's into what it is today, loved the idea. The iconic fast food chain also has a new double burger on its menu: the Daily Double. The Daily Double, available now nationwide, is made with two beef patties, a slice of American cheese plus shredded lettuce, slivered onions, mayo and two tomato slices. The burger had been available in limited markets including Chicago, Miami and Seattle, but will be available nationally through 2025, the company said. On July 22, the Daily Double will join McDonald's McValue Meal Deal options, served with a 4-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, small fries and small soft drink ($6 or $7; pricing depends on your restaurant). That menu still includes the $5 Meal Deal. The burger is now appearing in the McDonald's app, where you can also get deals including a free medium order of fries with a $1 purchase in the app every Friday through the end of 2025. Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald's new spicy breakfast items: See what they are
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's adds new spicy item to its breakfast menu starting July 8
(This story has been updated with new information.) As part of the fast food chain's 50th anniversary celebrations for the McMuffin, McDonald's is releasing a series of new options to "spice up" its breakfast menu. Starting July 8, McDonald's is launching three spicy breakfast menu items: the Spicy McMuffin, Spicy Sausage McMuffin and Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg. The McMuffins will feature their traditional ingredients – cheese, egg, Canadian bacon or sausage, and a buttered English muffin, topped with Spicy Pepper Sauce, according to a news release. McDonald's launched the Egg McMuffin in 1975. The breakfast item was the brainchild of Herb Peterson, a McDonald's franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Herb, according to previous USA TODAY reporting, presented the sandwich as a to-go version of a diner classic: Eggs Benedict. Roy Kroc, the businessman who transformed McDonald's into what it is today, loved the idea. The Spicy McMuffin (and its subsidiaries) will be available for a limited time at participating locations starting on Tuesday, July 8. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spicy McMuffin: When to get new item on McDonald's breakfast menu
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
McDonald's launched a new Spicy McMuffin menu. It's good, but the best breakfast item is still a classic.
McDonald's has always been the exception to my rule about making healthy choices for my first meal of the day. On days I'm awake and ready to eat before their breakfast hours end, I will never say no to a McMuffin. So when the golden-arched giant on Tuesday launched its new Spicy McMuffin menu — featuring a dollop of spicy pepper sauce on its classic Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin, and Sausage McMuffin with Egg — I knew I wanted to try one, whether my editors greenlit this story or not. The limited-time spicy offerings celebrate the 50th anniversary of McDonald's original breakfast sandwich, made up of melty cheese, an egg (or not), and your choice of ham or sausage on a toasted English muffin. Like most offerings from the global burger giant, the new spicy McMuffin menu items are not gourmet, but they hit the spot. A slightly spicy twist on a classic My McMuffin adventure began before my shift did. After agreeing to taste-test the new menu items for you, dear reader, I was faced with a classic McDonald's breakfast dilemma: I had to reach the restaurant before breakfast hours ended — between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., depending on the location. Looking at the McDonald's app, I was surprised to see that the Spicy McMuffin options read as "unavailable" at my local store. Thankfully, when I arrived in person, I was able to order the limited-time items at one of the kiosks in the lobby, and upon checking the app again, they reappeared as available. Perhaps a glitch related to the new release, I faced no other complications with ordering. After I ordered via touchscreen, a friendly McDonald's employee brought both the Spicy Egg McMuffin and the Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg to my table, along with an iced coffee and an order of hash browns. The Spicy McMuffin menu items are priced the same as their classic counterparts, and they add 50 calories of pepper sauce per serving. I paid a total of $18.60 for the meal. The sandwiches look very much the same as the classics — in fact, I split mine open searching for pepper sauce because at first I wasn't convinced there was any — but the sauce adds a nice, almost smoky flavor to complement the already tasty treat. As a Southern California resident whose homemade salsas feature at least three serranos and four jalapeños per batch, I don't know that I would describe the sauce as particularly spicy in the traditional sense, but it was certainly an enhancement to the original version. The exact recipe for the spicy pepper sauce is unclear, but its ingredients list posted on the McDonald's website indicates it contains habanero peppers, red bell peppers, paprika, and turmeric. And market research shows that consumers are increasingly seeking out spicy foods. A 2024 report from Innova Market Insights found that there has been a 4% increase in global launches of chili-flavored packaged foods and beverages over the last five years, with consumers most likely to seek spicy flavors in sauces and seasonings, savory snacks, ready meals, meal kits, and soups. McDonald's spicy menu items would appear to capitalize on the trend. A popular, limited-edition treat I'd ordered decidedly too much food for one sitting, so I ended up finishing both the Canadian bacon and the sausage McMuffin for lunch. I threw away my half-empty coffee — I'm not the only Business Insider reporter who has found McDonald's coffee watery. I did, however, finish the hash browns in-store. Looking around the dining room as I departed, I saw at least one other person enjoying the spicy version of the breakfast sandwich. However, since a majority of this location's business appears to be done through its curbside service, I couldn't get a better visual assessment of the outgoing spicy-to-classic ratio. The National Restaurant Association reported in April that nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premises in takeout, drive-thru, and delivery transactions. A spokesperson for McDonald's declined to comment on how first-day sales have gone, how many restaurants participated in the promotion, or how long customers can expect to see the spicy pepper sauce as an option for their morning meals. A McDonald's employee at the location I visited, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the spicy McMuffin items had been extremely popular the morning of their launch. While the employee couldn't specify how many had been sold by the time breakfast hours ended at 10:30 a.m., they said there had been "tons" of orders for them. Ultimately, I left thinking I'd happily eat a spicy McMuffin again, though the old classic — the humble hash brown — remains the top dog on the McDonald's breakfast menu.
Time Business News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
What Should We Learn From McDonald's Big Announcement?
In July 2025, McDonald's big announcement made headlines across the business and food world — not just for what it added to the menu, but for how it reflects a masterclass in brand strategy. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Egg McMuffin, McDonald's introduced a bold twist: the Spicy McMuffin with a shot of McDonald's new spicy pepper sauce, alongside its popular spicy chicken McNuggets. With a fiery pepper sauce and spicy sausage variants, this limited-time offer shows how legacy brands, like founder Roy Kroc's McDonald's, can adapt to modern tastes without abandoning their roots. More than a menu update, McDonald's big announcement signals a deeper shift in how the brand speaks to changing consumer values — from embracing generational flavor trends to reinforcing loyalty through personalization and sustainability. Let's unpack the key lessons from this move and explore how businesses of all sizes can apply these insights to stay ahead in today's dynamic market. To mark the 50th anniversary of the beloved Egg McMuffin, McDonald's big announcement revealed the launch of new muffin choices and new varieties, including a new spicy McMuffin with traditional ingredients, a delicious twist on the classic breakfast menu sandwich. Starting July 8, 2025, McDonald's began offering the Spicy McMuffin, Spicy Sausage McMuffin, and Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg at participating locations, which will help McDonald's break into the gourmet breakfast segment. Each version includes McDonald's signature Spicy Pepper Sauce and spicy sriracha sauce — adding a bold kick with a habanero kick to a nostalgic favorite. This limited-time offering reflects changing consumer preferences, especially among younger generations like Gen Z, who are known for loving adventurous, spicy flavors. But the brilliance of McDonald's big announcement wasn't just the food — it was the strategy behind it that addressed consumer demand. It honored a half-century legacy, sparked curiosity with a new flavor profile, targeted a trending taste, and showcased how brands can evolve without losing their roots. McDonald's big announcement is a goldmine of branding and marketing strategy — the kind that marketers, strategists, and entrepreneurs should pay close attention to. It wasn't just about making breakfast a little bolder — it was a move that aligned perfectly with modern consumer behavior, generational preferences, and value-driven loyalty. Here are the best 6 marketing lessons brands can take from this smart and spicy rollout: A standout feature of McDonald's big announcement is its thoughtful balance between innovation and tradition. While spicy versions of the Egg McMuffin and the beloved Spicy Snack Wrap, featuring a key ingredient of McCrispy chicken strips and hints of garlic, are now available nationwide as new items for a limited time, including the Spicy McCrispy sandwich, the original beloved snack wrap remains untouched. This move respects long-time fans while enticing new, flavor-seeking audiences — a blueprint for evolving without alienating. The lesson: Don't overhaul what already works. Instead, offer variations that invite curiosity and choice. Think of it as creating a new branch on a beloved tree rather than chopping it down. Application for your brand: Maintain your flagship products but introduce seasonal or limited-time variants to test interest. Market new offerings as an addition , not a replacement , preserving brand trust while exploring new territory. At the heart of McDonald's big announcement is one sharp insight: younger generations, especially Gen Z, love bold and spicy flavors, including hot sauce. According to statistics site ScrapeHero, a Harris Poll indicates that over 75% of Gen Z consumers enjoy spicy food, and two-thirds are more likely to buy something if it's labeled as spicy. By launching the Spicy McMuffin, McDonald's is speaking directly to their preferences, increasing the odds of trial and virality. The lesson: Understanding generational trends isn't optional — it's essential. Gen Z craves heat, authenticity, and personalization, while older generations might lean toward comfort and nostalgia. Application for your brand: Use market research and social listening to uncover what excites your target demographic. Tailor your product variations, flavors, or features to appeal to specific age groups. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, create segmented marketing campaigns based on generational insights. McDonald's big announcement smartly frames the Spicy McMuffin line as a limited-time glow-up , creating urgency and curiosity. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) are a proven strategy for sparking excitement, driving foot traffic, and generating free buzz through social media and word of mouth. The lesson: Scarcity breeds action. Offering something for 'a limited time only' encourages customers to try it now — not later. Application for your brand: Launch short-term campaigns or seasonal product releases to re-engage existing customers and attract new ones. Tie LTOs to holidays, anniversaries, or pop culture trends to increase relevance. Use the data and customer feedback collected during LTO periods to inform future product decisions. By tying the launch of the Spicy McMuffin to the Egg McMuffin's 50th birthday, McDonald's big announcement skillfully taps into brand nostalgia while injecting new energy into a timeless product. It's not just about launching something new — it's about evolving a legacy. The lesson: Innovation doesn't mean forgetting your roots. In fact, your heritage can be your biggest differentiator. Application for your brand: Celebrate product or brand milestones publicly to showcase longevity and trust. Tell the story of how your best-sellers came to be, and how they're evolving to stay relevant. Let customers know that while your products may adapt, your values remain consistent. Alongside flavor innovation, McDonald's big announcement also underscores the brand's broader focus on customer loyalty and personalization. Through its app-based rewards system, McDonald's is able to gather purchasing behavior, personalize offers, and foster stronger customer relationships. The lesson: Loyalty programs aren't just about points — they're about building long-term engagement through personalization and convenience. Application for your brand: Build a digital rewards or membership program that collects valuable customer data. Use that data to send personalized offers and anticipate customer needs. Reward repeat business with exclusive content marketing platforms, early product access, or tailored discounts. Though not the centerpiece of McDonald's big announcement, the company continues to publicly commit to sustainability — from using cage-free eggs in all U.S. locations to reducing plastic waste through packaging innovations. Today's consumers expect transparency and responsible practices, and McDonald's is delivering just that. The lesson: Transparency builds trust. In an age of ethical consumerism, people want to support brands that do the right thing — and share proof of it. Application for your brand: Publicly share progress on sustainability goals, sourcing practices, and product transparency. Make it easy for customers to learn about your ingredients, values, and mission. Incorporate storytelling that highlights how your brand is making a positive impact. McDonald's big announcement is more than a spicy twist on a breakfast classic — it's a lesson in modern branding. From honoring product legacy and tapping into generational trends, to leveraging digital engagement and doubling down on values, McDonald's has shown how even the most established brands can evolve with purpose. That's not the only new thing, the new double burger or significant thing; their strategy highlights significant innovation. Key takeaways for businesses: Don't fear innovation — embrace it while respecting what made you successful. Speak your audience's language, especially across generations. Use limited-time offers to test, excite, and collect insights. Build loyalty with relevance and rewards. Stand tall on your values and communicate them openly. In a fast-moving world, brands that learn to listen, adapt, and lead with intention will always have the edge. So take a cue from McDonald's big announcement: bold doesn't have to mean risky — it can mean brilliant. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Chicago Tribune
08-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Ex-Ald. Edward Burke released early from prison
Good afternoon, Chicago. Less than 10 months after reporting to federal prison, Edward Burke was released to begin spending the rest of his sentence in the Chicago area today, according to federal officials. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons released a statement verifying the release. It was not clear whether Burke would be there long before being placed on home confinement, sources said. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History A Champaign abortion provider accused in a lawsuit of perforating a patient's uterus and leaving half a fetus inside her body has been reprimanded and fined in connection with that case by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, according to records obtained by the Tribune. Read more here. More top news stories: The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the additional security step that has for years bedeviled anyone passing through U.S airports, according to media reports. Read more here. More top business stories: Noa Essengue doesn't want to pick sides. But one basketball debate is hard to avoid in Chicago: Michael Jordan versus LeBron James. Read more here. More top sports stories: McDonald's announced this morning that it has turned up the heat on breakfast with the launch of its new Spicy McMuffin sandwich lineup. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Authorities leading the search for victims of the devastating flooding in Texas deflected intensifying questions today about who was responsible for monitoring the weather that killed more than 100 people and warning that flash floods were barreling toward camps and homes. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
