McDonald’s Corporation is reportedly to re-work its US menu over the course of the next six months in a move which will see in January 2011 the discontinuation of the fruit and walnut salad in favour of oatmeal (porridge).
Other items to go include the Big ‘N’ Tasty sandwich (on 1 September) and the Mac Snack Wrap, which will be replaced by an Angus Snack Wrap in August, according to a report by Crain's Chicago Business, citing a McDonald’s memo from company executives to franchisees.
McDonald’s executives reportedly noted in the memo that sales of the fruit and walnut salad were “low” but said it would remain on the menu until oatmeal is added.
Oak Brook-based McDonald’s is currently testing maple brown sugar oatmeal topped with apples, raisins and cranberries and blended with cream. The oatmeal has sold for US$1.99 in test markets such as Baltimore and Washington DC.
Fruit smoothies and frappés, meanwhile, will officially become part of the national menu on 13 July in conjunction with a national advertising campaign, Crain’s said.
Marketing activities for smoothies are expected to include television advertisements showing dancers depicting the blending and pouring of the frozen fruit drinks.
As of 22 July, participating McDonald’s stores are also anticipated to hold three national sampling days.
