NEW YORK — McDonald’s is getting rid of its Chicken Selects and Fruit & Walnut Salad and is considering the removal of Angus burgers.
The change-up comes as the world’s biggest hamburger chain plans to step up the number of limited-time menu items in the year ahead.
Most recently, the chain introduced its Fish McBites. It plans to introduce McWrap chicken sandwiches with lettuce, tomato and cucumber and a choice of three sauces later this year. The McWrap sandwiches will be larger than the chain’s Snack Wraps.
The Oak Brook, Ill.-based company said in an emailed statement that it is “evaluating options as it relates to the Angus Third Pounders," which were introduced in 2009. The Selects chicken fingers were introduced in 2004 and the Fruit & Walnut Salad was introduced in 2005.
Earlier this week, the Kentucky New Era quoted a McDonald’s franchisee’s Facebook post noting the discontinuation of the three items.
“Sorry if one of these were your favorite, they just did not sell well enough nationally," the site quoted McEnaney Enterprises as saying. That post has since been removed.
After years of outperforming rivals, McDonald’s has been struggling as competitors including Burger King and Wendy’s step up their marketing and menu offerings. Fast-food chains are also fighting to attract customers at a time when people are being more careful about where they spend their money.
In a shake-up late last year, McDonald’s ousted the head of its U.S. business. The move came after a key sales figure dropped for the first time in nearly a decade.