McDonald's McRib returns to select restaurants Tuesday
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McDonald's McRib is back at participating restaurants nationwide. Photo: Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald's barbecue sandwich, the McRib, returns to select U.S. restaurants starting Tuesday, Nov. 11, the company confirmed to Axios.
Why it matters: The cult-favorite sandwich's comeback comes nearly a week after the fast-food giant reported third-quarter earnings — timing that underscores how value and nostalgia are central to McDonald's strategy amid a softer consumer backdrop.
- McDonald's posted global comparable-sales growth of 3.6%, including 2.4% in the U.S., but warned that traffic from lower-income customers has been falling across the fast-food industry.
Driving the news: McDonald's senior marketing director Guillaume Huin posted on X Monday that the sandwich would return to "most" U.S. restaurants, calling it the chain's "most-mentioned limited-time product online."
The big picture: The McRib has long symbolized McDonald's knack for drumming up buzz — and now it's crossing into market-meme territory.
- Prediction market platform Kalshi weighed in Monday, posting on X "JUST IN: McDonald's 'McRib' returns November 11" — a nod to the sandwich's newfound status as a meme among traders.
- Huin said that while McDonald's has nothing to do with it, some in the trading and crypto world claim Bitcoin and the S&P 500 tend to rise after the McRib's comeback — citing 2017, 2020 and 2021 as examples.
- "Coincidentally, when the McRib returned to stores in December 2024, Bitcoin hit a new all-time high," Huin said.
Is the McRib back near me?
State of play: The McRib will be available in cities including Miami, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, McDonald's told Axios.
- On Monday night, Axios found the sandwich available to order on the chain's mobile app in various parts of the country.
- Fans are also tracking sightings on the McRib Locator, a fan-run website that crowdsources McRib availability nationwide.
How much does the McRib cost?
By the numbers: The McRib's price varies by restaurant location.
- Axios found it listed on the app Monday for $5.49 at a McDonald's in Atlanta, $6.89 at a San Francisco location and $6.99 at a Seattle location.
- The McRib Locator also crowdsources prices and invites fans to upload receipt photos to confirm sightings.
McDonald's Holiday Pie release
What's next: McDonald's Holiday Pie returns nationwide on Friday, Nov. 14, the company said.
- The seasonal dessert features custard in a flaky, sugar-glazed crust topped with rainbow sprinkles.
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