More Items Join McDonald's Ramped-Up New Product Pipeline

OAK BROOK, Ill. – McDonald's Corp. is adding more menu options to boost its new product pipeline and increase same-store sales, according to a Nation's Restaurant News report. The fast-food giant is also testing a mobile payment solution in certain markets.

McDonald's new Mighty Wings, lightly breaded and fried mini-chicken wings and drums, launched nationwide at most stores on Sept. 9 and the product is expected to be available systemwide by Sept. 24. Mighty Wings are sold in three-, five- and 10-piece orders, starting at $2.99. First tested on two occasions last year in Chicago and Atlanta, the limited-time offer will be available through November.

McDonald's also has begun introducing steak as a breakfast sandwich option and will offer it at approximately 9,600 U.S. restaurants, or about two-thirds of its 14,100-plus domestic system.

Another new item is a bundled meal known as the "Blitz Box," which is being tested as a tie-in with NFL team the Kansas City Chiefs. The Blitz Box reportedly includes two quarter pounders with cheese, two medium orders of French fries and 10 Chicken McNuggets with dipping sauces for $14.99.

These new additions continue a year of prolific new product introductions for McDonald's, according to the report, although the company has faced challenges in the form of difficult year-over-year comparisons and a weak eating-out market.

McDonald's is also testing a mobile payment solution in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, spokeswoman Ofelia Casillas told the news outlet. "We're always looking at new technologies to make the McDonald's experience better for our customers," Casillas said in an email. "We are testing some of these technologies in a few markets, so it's premature to speculate on the decisions we may make after the tests, but we're excited to bring a cutting-edge experience in the future to our customers."

The mobile payment solution includes an outdoor payment device for drive-thrus; mobile ordering and pick-up inside stores and curbside; and customer-engagement solutions such as targeted offers and a mobile loyalty system.

In addition, McDonald's is testing an updated version of its Dollar Menu, called the "Dollar Menu & More," which includes more-expensive items, as CSNews Online previously reported.

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