McDonald's newest item for fall doesn't have pumpkin or maple flavors. Rather, it's a nostalgic treat from more than three decades ago.
Beginning September 14, the chain is bringing back the cheese Danish, a flaky pastry filled with sweet cream cheese and topped with a buttery streusel and light vanilla drizzle. McDonald's said the limited-time offering is a "fresh take" on a similar pastry it briefly served in the 1980s.
It's the latest example of a fast food giant tapping into nostalgia to excite customers. Pizza Hut recently turned back time, reintroducing its logo from the 1990s. McDonald's frequently brings back the McRib. And Burger King briefly returned the Whopper to its original launch price.
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You won't find these crazy fast food items outside of the good ol' US of A! For this list, we’ll be looking at fast food dishes that can only be found in the United States.
The cheese Danish joins its McCafé bakery lineup, an assortment of baked goods it introduced in 2020 to help invigorate its once-sagging breakfast sales. Similar to its other bakery items, including an apple fritter, a blueberry muffin and a cinnamon roll, the cheese Danish is available all day.
Changing its breakfast lineup has helped McDonald's turn around sales during the crucial part of the day, especially as rivals bolster theirs. Wendy's recently rolled out french toast sticks, a nostalgic item for kids as they head back to school.
A recent report from research firm NDP Group revealed that business for mornings has remained steady in the second quarter of 2022, while other parts of day (including lunch and dinner) declined in the midst of rising menu prices.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a recent earnings call that breakfast was its "strongest performing daypart," adding that it feels good about it. "It's a change. If you remember, a few years ago, I think there were a bunch of questions about breakfast," he conceded.
Sales at its McDonald's US restaurants open at least 13 months jumped 3.7% in the second quarter, with growth being driven by higher menu prices and "value offerings" on its regular menu as well as through its app.
"Over the last few years, McDonald's has proven itself the champion of recognizing and cashing in on current consumer trends, wrote Carmen Bryan, a consumer analyst at GlobalData, in a note Tuesday. "The company has consistently reinvented its menu throughout the pandemic and beyond, which has helped it to retain relevance and customer interest."
7 of the least-healthy fast food combos
No-value meals
Fast food value meals are quick, yummy and sometimes inexpensive. What you save at the drive-thru, however, might cost you more in health care bills if you indulge in too many of them.
Recently, Eat This, Not That analyzed these meals and found these combos will put you over the limit for calories, sodium, fat and sugar “before you’ve even finished your meal.”
“If you are eating these occasionally, and you feel good, there’s nothing to worry about,” holistic nutritionist Kristen Ciccolini told the website. “The main thing I’d be concerned with if consuming these meals regularly is the sodium content.”
For context, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day; Cleveland Clinic recommends about 44 to 77 grams of fat per day, if you eat 2,000 calories; and the Mayo Clinic says between 900 and 1,300 calories of a 2,000 calorie diet — or 225-325 grams — should be from carbohydrates.
If you’re trying to eat healthier, here are seven meals you’ll likely want to avoid.
McDonald’s Big Mac Combo
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese on a sesame seed bun” made for a good commercial but not a healthy meal.
“This meal contains artery-clogging fat from the meat and cheese, along with added sugar from the soda,” Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told Eat This, Not That.
Per meal
- 1,080 calories
- 45 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 1,325 mg sodium
- 144 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 65 g sugar)
- 30 g protein
Arby’s Chicken Club Wrap Meal
On their own, wraps can be healthy. But when you pair them with curly fries and a soft drink, any benefits are negated.
“With 1,220 calories, this meal contains more than half of your calories for the day,” Young said. “And both the fries and soda provide virtually no health value.”
Per meal
- 1,220 calories
- 57 g fat (12 g saturated fat)
- 2,310 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (9 g fiber; 56 g sugar)
- 46 g protein
McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal
According to Young, this meal has too much sodium. “This meal contains over 70% of the daily value for saturated fat and more than 60% of the daily value for sodium, making you want to skip it,” she said.
Per meal
- 1,260 calories
- 57 g fat (22 g saturated fat)
- 1,685 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 63 g sugar)
- 53 g protein
Arby’s Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich Meal
It’s got turkey, lettuce and tomato, but it’s no healthier than a burger meal.
This meal has 1,000 milligrams more sodium than you should consume all day.
“People with high blood pressure may want to avoid these foods,” Ciccolini said.
Per meal
- 1,380 calories
- 57 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 3,360 mg sodium
- 172 g carbohydrates (10 g fiber; 60 g sugar)
- 51 g protein
Arby’s Half Pound Beef ‘n’ Cheddar Meal
Ciccolini urges caution for anyone craving melted cheese over a half-pound of beef.
This one meal has more sodium, and more than enough fat and carbs, for the entire day. It also has one of the higher saturated fat contents of the value meals.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates
- 54 g protein
Burger King BLT Chicken Jr. Meal
The sandwich by itself is nearly 500 calories, with regular-size sides bringing it to more than 1,300.
If you want to go ahead and blow your calorie budget completely, upsize to a large. That will top your meal out at 1,790 calories.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 53 g sugar)
- 54 g protein
Taco Bell Classic Combo
This combo of a beefy five-layer burrito, crunchy taco, cinnamon twists and large soda packs more carbs than some other value meals on the list.
“The smattering of lettuce on the taco doesn’t count as a veggie,” Eat This, Not That wrote.
Per meal
- 1,240 calories
- 34 g fat (11 g saturated fat)
- 1,780 mg sodium
- 212 g carbohydrates (13 g fiber; 125 g sugar)
- 27 g protein
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