MCDONALD’S has always been a firm favourite among fast-food fans in the restaurant industry.
But will you spot the differences coming to the burger chain this new year?
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January will bring in a fresh start to 2023, alongside some major changes to McDonald’s.
From menu changes to restaurant updates, what will you notice?
Do keep in mind that some of these changes may be subject to location – so they may not all appear everywhere at once.
And other changes have started rolling in already.
But regardless, we’ve rounded up five definite differences coming in 2023 that you should look out for during your next visit.
New burger
That’s right – we’re getting a new burger added to menus next month.
The chain is adding an “undeniably delicious” Double McPlant burger to its menu – and it will be available in all restaurants from January 4.
A Double McPlant will cost £4.89 and £6.49 as part of a meal, but prices may vary depending on location.
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The burger has two Beyond Meat patties, a vegan sesame bun, mustard, ketchup, vegan sandwich sauce, fresh onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato and vegan cheese.
When The Sun taste tested the McPlant burger, we found it tasted just like a quarter pounder with cheese.
If you buy the burger as part of a meal, you will also get a choice of soft drink and a side – such as a portion of fries or a salad.
This is a vegan menu option and cooked separately from other menu items. It was trialled in 250 restaurants first before it was confirmed as part of the menu for January.
Car parks
McDonald’s has revealed it will be adding spaces for couriers to its car parks in the new year.
It’s also planning to add modified traffic routes to make it easier for drive-thru customers..
The change is part of the restaurant’s £250million Convenience of the Future campaign – a plan to diversify the franchise in line with customer needs.
It is taking place in 200 restaurants with 800 changes in the calendar altogether for the next four years.
For example, McDonald’s opened its first net zero restaurant in Market Drayton in December, and it’s planning to roll the concept out to more stores.
Different counters
The restaurant is planning to redesign its front counters so it’s clearer for customers when they order.
The changes are meant to reduce crowding at the collection point, leave more room around kiosks, reduce queue lengths and create more space for those enjoying their meals.
These may look different depending on the size of your nearest branch.
Gareth Pearson, McDonald’s UK&I chief operations officer, said: “The pace of change within the restaurant industry is relentless, and the pandemic accelerated this with digital adoption gathering greater pace.
“Our customers rightly expect to have choice in how and where they order and collect their food, and our job is to ensure that every experience is a great one.”
McDonald’s is also looking to expand kitchen space and employee rooms to make it a better working environment for them.
This will also include specific areas to prepare McDelivery and dine in orders.
Mr Pearson continued: “We know we also have to provide our restaurant teams and delivery partners with the best possible environment to work in.
“We strongly believe we have to continue to invest to grow, and this investment not only addresses how customers are ordering now but provides us with a platform to continue to adapt in the future, whatever that innovation looks like.”
Paper-based cutlery
You may have already noticed that recyclable pressed-paper knives, forks and spoons have appeared in some branches.
The company hopes it will eliminate a staggering 858 metric tonnes of plastic across the UK every year.
It comes after it ditched plastic toys from happy meals, straws and stirrers in a bid to be more eco-friendly.
Nina Prichard, head of sustainable and ethical sourcing at Maccie’s, said when it was announced back in November: “We’re pleased to announce another step forward in eliminating single-use plastics and it’s great to be switching our famous McFlurry spoons to this new paper-based material.”
You may be seeing these appear in more branches as 2023 kicks in.
