The headlights on this car are made of coffee residue 1:05
(CNN Business) - McDonald's is putting a new twist on an old favorite as it tries to attract customers during the pandemic.
Spicy Chicken McNuggets will hit restaurants across the United States on September 16, for a limited time. It is the first new McNugget flavor in the country since the item was introduced to the American menu in 1983.
For McDonald's, this new option could be a way to capitalize on America's taste for chicken and create a much-needed conversation about the brand right now.
Brands that have grown from chicken sales have been rewarded with great sales and loyalty. Popeyes' popular spicy chicken sandwich has boosted the chain's sales. System-wide sales at Popeyes restaurants were up 24% in the three months ending June 30 compared to the same period last year. The brand said at its earnings meeting that the sandwich had been a huge contributor.
Chick-fil-A has been growing steadily for years.
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And customers have flocked to KFC. In the United States, "we had the highest average sales per store in the brand's history for a week in early May," said David Gibbs, CEO of Yum Brands, which owns KFC, during a call with analysts to discuss the results. second quarter financial statements. Sales at US KFC restaurants open for at least one year were up 7% in the quarter compared to the same period last year.
McDonald's has many chicken options on its menu and you have tried a few chicken sandwiches in the past.
The new McNuggets have a cayenne and chili pepper breaded tempura layer. They come with a Mighty Hot Sauce, which includes a mixture of crushed red pepper, hot chili peppers, and garlic. The Mighty Hot Sauce, also available for a limited time, is the company's first new dipping sauce in three years.
"Our customers have been asking for Spicy McNuggets for some time now," Linda VanGosen, vice president of menu innovation, said in a blog post announcing the new article.
Fast food companies are launching limited-time options to help generate interest in their brands. Right now, McDonald's could use the boost.
McDonald's total sales fell 30% in the second quarter compared to a year earlier, the company said last month. Net income plummeted 68%.
And he's struggling when it comes to breakfast. This meal has been affected by changes in people's morning routines, particularly commuting, the company explained during a call with an analyst to discuss second-quarter results. It doesn't help that Wendy's, which positioned its own new breakfast offerings as superior to McDonald's, is benefiting from its breakfast menu.
Still, McDonald's is hoping for a turnaround. In April, sales at US stores open for at least a year fell 19%. But they have been constantly improving since then. In June they were down just 2.3% and "showed an upward trend" in July, according to CFO Kevin Ozan.
CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky contributed to this report.
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