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FIFTY years after the Egg McMuffin was introduced to the public, McDonald’s is celebrating its anniversary with several limited-time promotions.
The company is also partnering up with a rival fast-food chain for a new collaboration.
The fast food chain is making major expansions to its menu this year[/caption]
McDonald’s first debuted the Egg McMuffin in 1975, and the breakfast staple has remained on the menu ever since.
This year, the company is commemorating the sandwich’s 50th anniversary with a new marketing campaign.
The Egg McMuffin was first invented in 1971 by McDonald’s franchisee Herb Peterson in Santa Barbara, California, according to a McDonald’s press release.
Peterson had the idea of serving Eggs Benedict on the go, and approached then-CEO Ray Kroc with an early prototype of the sandwich.
“When I watched my father introduce this idea to Ray Kroc, we could not have anticipated it would become the foundation for the renowned McDonald’s breakfast menu,” Peterson’s son and McDonald’s owner and operator, David Peterson said in the release.
“It’s been remarkable to see people embrace this innovation over the last five decades, and now we get to share that heritage with a new generation of breakfast fans.”
MEAL DEALS
In celebration of the anniversary, the fast food chain is introducing specials throughout the month of March.
On March 2, McDonald’s is celebrating National Egg McMuffin Day by selling the Egg McMuffin and Sausage McMuffin with Egg for just $1.
The deal can only be redeemed through the McDonald’s app.
From March 3 through March 30, there will be a buy one, get one free offer on the Sausage McMuffin with Egg when ordered through McDelivery on the McDonald’s app.
Additionally, the McDonald’s bagel sandwich is now available nationwide as of February 25.
The bagel sandwich was previously available only in select markets, with limited expansions since 2022.
In a surprise twist, McDonald’s also announced that it would be collaborating with Krispy Kreme to offer doughnuts as part of its McCafé menu at more than half of all McDonald’s restaurants in the US, also on February 25.
McDonald’s plans to serve Krispy Kreme donuts nationwide by the end of 2026.
“At McDonald’s, breakfast isn’t just a meal; it’s a cherished tradition and cornerstone of our brand,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said in the press release.
“Every morning when we open our doors, we are a breakfast restaurant.
“Whether it’s my personal favorite, the Egg McMuffin, or our crispy Hash Browns, fluffy hotcakes, or sweet and savory McGriddles, we’re all about giving our customers the best start to their day.”
In addition to its McMuffin deals, McDonald’s announced that it would hold a yearlong national campaign this year to celebrate its breakfast menu.
MCDONALD’S IN THE NEWS
McDonald’s recently announced that it would be expanding its chicken market share after an earnings call revealed the rising popularity of McDonald’s chicken.
The announcement stated that the chain would be reintroducing chicken strips to its menu, which fans speculated could mean the return of the beloved Chicken Selects.
Meanwhile, the fast food giant also announced that it would be bringing back its beloved Snack Wraps due to popular demand.
“We’re excited about the significant opportunity we see within our chicken portfolio, and see the potential to add another point of chicken market share by the end of 2026,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in the earnings call.
