Where Were You When The Egg McMuffin Was Launched?
McDonald's changed fast food with the release of the Big Mac and the speed at which they could fulfill an order. Still, they don't get enough credit for how their breakfast items introduced fast food lovers to some of the most beloved egg sandwiches that helped fuel our mornings. Here are 20 ways that McDonald's made us love breakfast.
1. The Introduction of the Egg McMuffin
There's no fast-food breakfast item more iconic and beloved than the Egg McMuffin. Introduced in 1971, it was the perfect portable breakfast sandwich, mimicking eggs Benedict and featuring a perfectly cooked egg. It launched McDonald's breakfast program, and the restaurant hasn't looked back since.
2. Expanding Breakfast Nationwide
The Egg McMuffin was McDonald's way of testing the prospect of serving breakfast. Its success led to them rolling out their breakfast program across the country in 1977. This decision transformed mornings for millions of commuters who wanted a cheap and quick alternative to eating breakfast at home.
Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden on Wikimedia
3. Serving Breakfast All Day
In 2015, McDonald's finally gave in to the public, who only wanted one thing: the opportunity to eat a Sausage McMuffin and a hash brown for dinner. The company long resisted this move due to kitchen limitations, but they eventually figured it out and was rewarded with a substantial boost in sales.
4. Hash Browns as a Breakfast Icon
What's better than a McDonald's hash brown first thing in the morning? Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and greasy all over, these hash browns are almost as iconic as McDonald's fries.
5. Premium Roast Coffee Partnership
McDonald's upgraded its coffee to a much richer and more pleasant roast in 2006. Its partnership with suppliers helped them rival Starbucks in flavor and consistency. When they brought Premium Roast Coffee to their restaurants, it transformed their breakfast into a desirable morning destination for coffee drinkers.
Klaus Rupprecht (Kwr) on Wikimedia
6. McGriddles
McDonald's found a way to improve on their breakfast sandwich by combining pancakes, syrup, sausage, and egg. The result was a brilliant sandwich where syrup-infused griddle cakes replaced the traditional English muffin.
7. Affordable Breakfast Combos
McDonald's introduction of affordable breakfast combos offered variety for cheap. They made it easy for customers to enjoy a hearty breakfast for only a few bucks.
8. The Hotcake
In 1987, McDonald's added hotcakes to its menu, and adults and children went nuts. The fluffy pancakes, smothered in butter and syrup, brought a taste of mom's kitchen to the fast-food experience.
9. Sausage Biscuit and Sausage McMuffin Variations
No chain has perfected the art of the breakfast sandwich quite like McDonald's. The introduction of sausage patties allowed the chain to appeal to broader tastes by letting customers customize their sandwiches.
10. Portable Breakfast Burritos
McDonald's leveraged America's love of handheld, globally-inspired foods with their breakfast burrito. Made with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and peppers, it was portable, flavorful, and loved by commuters.
11. The McCafé Expansion
McCafé's expansion into espresso drinks elevated McDonald's breakfast offering from delicious and functional to indulgent and upscale. Customers were thrilled to have the opportunity to pair a gourmet-style coffee with their Sausage McMuffin.
12. Consistency and Reliability
Across the nation, you can walk into any McDonald's and know exactly what you're going to get. From Alaska to Washington, you can rely on McDonald's for fast service, consistent food, and branding that you recognize.
Dirk Tussing from Chicago IL, United States on Wikimedia13. Marketing That Changed Our Perception of Breakfast
McDonald's smart marketing turned breakfast into an exciting event. Their celebrity tie-ins were thoughtful, and their ability to promote their morning menu made their breakfast a lifestyle choice.
14. Breakfast for Every Demographic
McDonald's built their menu to appeal to every demographic. Budget-conscious students, busy professionals, and big families could all spend a weekday or weekend morning at McDonald's enjoying a tray of McGriddles and hash browns.
15. Seasonal and Time-Limited Items
McDonald's increased the popularity of their breakfast menu by offering seasonal or time-limited items like a special McGriddle or flavored coffee. This kept their menu fresh and their customers curious.
yoppy from Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on Wikimedia
16. Healthier Breakfast Items
As the market moved toward health and wellness, McDonald's shifted alongside it by offering oatmeal, parfaits, and fruit options. They proved their agility and how they can evolve with modern food trends.
17. Serving Breakfast Globally
McDonald's didn't just open up locations in other parts of the world; they customized their menu to regional tastes. They offered congee in Asia or McPaneer wraps in India and made their brand globally relevant in the process. Furthermore, they made eating McDonald's breakfast a universal experience.
18. The Nostalgia Factor
At this point, generations have grown up eating and loving McDonald's breakfasts. From Saturday mornings with hotcakes or a drive-thru stop for Egg McMuffins on the way to the cottage, people are emotionally connected to McDonald's. The breakfast has become a nostalgic symbol of comfort and families spending time together.
19. $1 Coffee Promotion
McDonald's $1 coffee promotion made them an even more irresistible breakfast destination. They brought in huge waves of customers, many of whom became repeat visitors. Commuters and families on a budget were thrilled to take advantage of value meals and cheap coffee, especially in a world where prices only seem to increase. For McDonald's, quality, consistency, and affordability were the path to success and longevity.
20. Turning Breakfast Into a Social Ritual
Spending a morning at McDonald's was more than just scarfing three hash browns before heading to your shift. It became common for people of all ages to meet their friends at McDonald's for breakfast before starting their day.
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