McDonald’s: What’s Cooking for Burgers in 2025?

Lorenzo Caldwell

McDonald’s, the global fast-food titan, is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, with a focus on menu innovation, sustainability, and enhanced customer experience. From new burger creations to ambitious expansion plans, here’s what you can expect from the Golden Arches this year.

The Big Arch Arrives

Responding to customer demand for larger, more satisfying burgers, McDonald’s is set to introduce the Big Arch to more markets in 2025. This towering burger features two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of cheese, crispy onions, pickles, lettuce, and a new tangy “Big Arch” sauce. Having been successfully piloted in international markets like Canada, Portugal, and Germany in 2024, the Big Arch is poised to become a new fan favorite, catering to those looking for a more substantial meal. This move indicates a shift towards bolder, more protein-focused offerings, despite the introduction of plant-based options in recent years.

McCrispy Goes Global

McDonald’s is expanding its chicken offerings, with the McCrispy sandwich becoming a staple in nearly all global markets by the end of 2025. The McCrispy, known for its crispy chicken breast filet, will be available in more locations, solidifying McDonald’s position in the competitive chicken sandwich market. Furthermore, the company is exploring the addition of McCrispy strips and wraps, potentially signaling the return of a fan-favorite like the Snack Wrap with an upgraded chicken component. This is a strategic move to diversify the menu, taking advantage of the increasing popularity of chicken and its more cost-effective production compared to beef.

McValue Menu and Deals

McDonald’s is placing a significant emphasis on value in 2025 with the launch of a new McValue menu. This initiative includes a “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer across breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Customers can purchase one full-priced menu item from the McValue menu and add another for just $1. This new value menu includes items like:

Breakfast: Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Biscuit, Sausage Burrito, and Hash Browns.
Lunch/Dinner: 6-piece Chicken McNuggets, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, and Small Fries.

This approach allows customers to create personalized deals, catering to a growing number of financially-conscious consumers. The McValue menu also features app-exclusive deals and local offers organized by franchisees.

Return of Fan Favorites

In addition to the new offerings, McDonald’s will bring back some popular items in 2025, including the McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse, which features a crispy chicken breast filet covered in smoky barbecue sauce, topped with cheddar cheese, red onions, and lettuce, all served on a sourdough sesame seed bun. The beloved Mozzarella Dippers will also make a return in sharing portions of three or nine pieces.

Sustainability Initiatives

McDonald’s is making considerable strides in sustainability, aiming to reduce its environmental impact through various initiatives.

Sustainable Packaging

By 2025, McDonald’s plans to have 100% of its packaging materials sourced from certified, recycled, or renewable sources. The company is also focusing on reducing waste and increasing the use of sustainable materials in packaging and toy production. Clear on-pack labeling will help customers make informed recycling choices. McDonald’s also collaborates with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the NextGen Consortium to develop sustainable solutions for single-use food packaging waste.

Sustainable Happy Meal

The company is committed to making Happy Meals more sustainable by using renewable, recycled, or certified materials for toys. Since 2018, they’ve reduced virgin fossil fuel-based plastic in their toys by 24.4%. These initiatives are part of the “Better M” program, which focuses on packaging and recycling, climate action, beef sustainability, youth opportunity, and commitment to families.

Climate Action

McDonald’s has aligned its climate action goals with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the new FLAG framework. By 2030, the company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its restaurants and offices by 36% from a 2015 baseline. Additionally, McDonald’s plans to reduce emissions intensity across its supply chain by 31%. The company is also committed to purchasing renewable energy and renewable energy certificates.

Expansion and Growth

McDonald’s is embarking on an unprecedented growth phase, planning to open nearly 10,000 new restaurants over the next four years. The goal is to reach 50,000 locations worldwide by the end of 2027. This expansion includes 900 new stores in the U.S. and 1,900 in international markets with company-operated and franchised restaurants. An additional 7,000 stores are planned in international markets operated by licensees, with a significant portion in China. This rapid growth reflects the company’s focus on expanding its reach and meeting the increasing demand for delivery services. New restaurants will likely have dedicated pickup areas for delivery drivers to reduce restaurant congestion.

Digital Transformation

McDonald’s is also investing heavily in digital strategies to enhance customer convenience and streamline operations. This includes expanding the use of kiosks, mobile applications, and dynamically changing drive-thru technology to speed up the ordering and payment processes. The shift towards digital and self-serve options is designed to improve efficiency and increase sales per hour. This digital focus is not new, but it’s accelerating in 2025 as the company seeks to cater to a tech-savvy customer base and boost profitability.

Menu Customization and Localization

McDonald’s continues to adapt its menu to suit local tastes and cultural preferences around the world. This customization allows them to appeal to a broader audience. For instance, the Teriyaki McBurger in Japan and a range of vegetarian options in India cater to specific dietary needs and regional preferences. This strategy highlights the company’s understanding of the importance of local adaptation in a global market.

Addressing Challenges

Despite these advancements, McDonald’s faces some challenges. The company experienced a drop in shares after an E. coli outbreak linked to onions impacted sales and resulted in lawsuits. McDonald’s is actively working to regain consumer trust and address these food safety issues. There is also an acknowledgement of the complexities of reducing their carbon footprint, especially due to beef production.

The Road Ahead

McDonald’s is proactively adapting to market trends by focusing on core menu items like the Quarter Pounder, while also innovating with new options like the Big Arch and McCrispy line. The company is also committed to improving its sustainability efforts, which will help the company to reduce the environmental impact. These changes reflect the company’s ongoing efforts to stay relevant in the fast-food landscape. As McDonald’s continues its rapid expansion in 2025 and beyond, customers can expect new experiences, updated menus, and an increased focus on digital convenience and sustainability.

Lorenzo Caldwell

Hello, my name is Lorenzo Caldwell and I'm an accomplished culinary expert specializing in baking and cooking. From my earliest memories, I was always found in the kitchen, whisk in hand, whipping up some delightful creation. I fell in love with the art of baking and cooking at a tender age, watching my grandmother work her magic in the family kitchen.In my teenage years, I began experimenting with recipes, creating my unique fusion of classic American cuisine with exotic flavors from around the world. I further honed my culinary skills by enrolling in the Culinary Institute of America, where I learned from world-class chefs and soaked up knowledge like a sponge. My academic pursuits further fueled my passion and broadened my understanding of the art and science behind baking and cooking.