Some retirements are more believable than others.
Nobody, for example, believes that Elton John or Kiss won't tour again just because they went on extended farewell tours. When fans still want to see you, as is the case for John, Kiss, the Eagles, Motley Crue, and so many other bands that came back after retirement tours, the audience forgives the lie.
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Pro wrestler Terry Funk retired so many times that it became a joke and it's actually hard to think of a single one of his peers who retired and never came back.
Ric Flair, for example, has retired at least three times and last year held a spectacular "final" match pay-pay-per-view, but it's likely his last match will become official only once, like Funk, he passes away.
In the fast-food world, however, retirements are rare. A chain may take an item off the menu, but the host company almost never says the departing item is gone forever.
Yum Brands' (YUM) -) Taco Bell, for example, took the popular Mexican Pizza off the menu during the covid pandemic, but it never said it wasn't returning (and it has returned).
But during McDonald's' most recent release of its popular McRib sandwich, the chain was definitive that the item was coming back for a short time and then going away forever.
"We have good news, and we have bad news. The elusive McRib is finally back…BUT this could be your last chance to get it," the chain said in a news release.
"After three straight years headlining McDonald's nationwide menu each fall, the iconic sandwich is embarking on a 'Farewell Tour' – giving fans across the country one more chance to experience a taste of the McRib at participating McDonald's restaurants."
That sounds pretty definitive, and it seemed possible that McDonald's (MCD) -) believed it could no longer affordably source whatever part of the pig goes into making the McRib. But like so many musicians and pro wrestlers, "forever" turned out to be about a year for the famous sandwich.
Image source: McDonald's/TheStreet
McDonald's is not bringing back McRib
McDonald's, it should be noted, did hedge its bets a bit in the news release for the McRib Farewell Tour.
"Like any true farewell tour, we're hoping this isn't a 'goodbye' but a 'see you later.' Because as our McRib stans have experienced time and time again: you never know when – or if – the McRib is coming back," the chain said.
Still, it's surprising that the company would bring the McRib back so quickly, making it look not like popular demand but more like the retirement was a publicity stunt.
In any event, according to the popular and credible Snackolator Instagram page, the McRib will soon be back on the chain's menu.
"Woah! Last fall the McRib went on a 'Farewell Tour,' but it's coming back this November!" Snackolator wrote. "This will be in stores by mid-November nationwide and I know a lot of people are going to be very happy about this. I'm still confused how a Farewell Tour can be just a year, but I don't think fans are going to care all that much."
McDonald's confirmed this news in an email to TheStreet (after initially denying it).
“It turns out not everyone was ready to say goodbye to the McRib after last year’s Farewell Tour. While it won’t be available nationwide, some lucky fans may find their favorite elusive saucy sandwich at their local McDonald’s restaurants this November,” a company spokesperson shared.
The McRib, which is made from a seasoned, boneless pork sensation, slathered in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with slivered onions and tart pickles, first appeared on McDonald's menus in 1980. It has always been a cult favorite, with a McRib Locator website being created by a third party to track its sporadic appearances over the years.
McRib was also parodied on a "Simpsons" episode as Homer Simpson traveled the country seeking Krusty Burger's "Ribwich."
McDonald's, at the time the story was written, did not return an immediate request for comment.
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