For decades McDonald's and Burger King offered essentially the same menu.
When fast food first became a concept, menus were kept simple to deliver on the promise of serving customers quickly.
That slowly began to change in the 1960s, when McDonald's (MCD) -) introduced the Filet O' Fish. That wasn't the first nonburger-and-fries item either chain had introduced, but its massive success opened the floodgates.
Related: Burger King menu adds sandwiches McDonald's, Wendy's can't make
And it was the 1980s release of Chicken McNuggets that prompted the current menu free-for-all to which fast-food fans have grown accustomed.
Burger King, however, has arguably been more aggressive in experimenting with its menu compared to its longtime rival. That's likely because the Restaurant Brands International brand (QSR) -) has been playing from behind for decades.
Burger King has fallen from its traditional spot as the No. 2 burger chain behind McDonald's, to No. 3, with Wendy's claiming the second spot.
The situation has led the chain to release some clever innovation. McDonald's, for example, would probably never consider adding Mac N' Cheetos — fried macaroni and cheese bites covered in the snack chips' famed orange dust — to its menu.
And while not every (or even most) Burger King menu additions have worked, the chain has been inventive in its search for the next big hit. Now, it's bringing back a popular side dish that's unlike anything McDonald's offers.
Image source: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Burger King adds a new side dish
McDonald's has what most fast-food fans consider the best fries. Burger King and Wendy's have tried to go after that crown, but few people think they have succeeded.
Both rival chains, however, have tried to win over customers by offering french-fry alternatives. Wendy's has its popular baked potatoes, and Burger King has onion rings and mozzarella sticks.
The chain recently began offering combos of french fries and onion rings (something customers had long ordered as a sort of secret menu item). Now, Burger King has brought back another popular alternative to ordering french fries.
"Cheesy Tots will return to Burger King menus nationwide starting Dec. 7, 2023," Chew Boom reported. "Cheesy Tots feature a crispy-fried outer shell loaded with warm potato and melted cheese on the inside."
Some Burger King locations are expected to begin selling Cheesy Tots as soon as next week.
The last time Cheesy Tots were offered, they were served as an all-day item. Customers could order them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chain has not said whether that will be the case this time.
Back in 2016, eight Tots cost $1.99.
Burger King seeks a U.S. comeback
In September 2022 Burger King began a $400 million two-year comeback plan, "Reclaim the Flame."
That plan involved parent RBI investing $150 million in advertising and digital investments to 'Fuel the Flame' and $250 million for a 'Royal Reset' involving restaurant technology, kitchen equipment, building enhancements, and high-quality remodels and relocations, the company said in a news release.
That strategy has gone better than expected, according to Executive Chairman Patrick Doyle, who spoke during RBI's third-quarter-earnings call.
"In the US [Burger King President Tom Curtis's] team and franchisees are focused on operational execution and image modernization," he said. "We're one year into the 'Reclaim the Flame' plan and frankly made more progress improving franchisee profitability and traffic in this one year than originally expected."
"Reclaim the Flame" also includes menu enhancements as part of the chain's efforts to recapture lapsed customers and even woo some new business from Wendy's and McDonald's brand loyalists.
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