Introduction to the Return of Snack Wraps
After a nearly 10-year hiatus, the beloved McDonald’s Snack Wrap is back on menus, but they’re not quite the same as before. The fan-favorite McDonald’s menu item officially returned to restaurants Thursday. The burger chain said the iconic wraps will remain on menus "as long as" fans continue to enjoy it. "Fans never gave up on the Snack Wrap, inspiring the ultimate comeback," McDonald’s said.
The Journey to the Return
The fast-food chain teased the return to the Snack Wrap for months. And for years, diners have tried to order it at drive-thrus across the country, despite the meal getting cut from menus in 2016. In a website dedicated to the return of the Snack Wrap, McDonald’s documented dozens of emails and social media messages from fans, pleading for the chain to bring back the wrap. "How long is this going to take?" one email said. "You guys know the recipe and people’s need for it back. What’s the hold up?"
New Snack Wrap Offerings
McDonald’s new Snack Wraps will come in two flavors: Ranch and Spicy. Both wraps feature the chain’s new McCrispy Strip topped with shredded cheese and shredded lettuce, wrapped in a soft tortilla. One comes drizzled with creamy Ranch sauce, coming in at 390 calories. The other, McDonald’s said, is made with Spicy Pepper sauce, at 380 calories. "Double up and enjoy one of each," McDonald’s said on its menus. "After 9 years of waiting, you probably worked up a big appetite."
Pricing and Availability
Most McDonald’s locations will offer the Snack Wrap at $2.99, though pricing and participation may vary. The Snack Wrap comes two days after McDonald’s debuted the Spicy McMuffin, which also comes with Spicy Pepper sauce. McDonald’s has more than 41,000 locations worldwide and serves 70 million customers daily.
Why the Snack Wrap Left Menus
McDonald’s invented the Snack Wrap — a tortilla full of chicken, lettuce, shredded cheese and sauce — almost two decades ago to make it easier to eat its chicken on the go. But it was too complicated for its kitchens to prepare, so the burger giant abandoned the Snack Wrap in the U.S. in 2016, a report from The Associated Press said. The decision devastated fans. A Change.org petition asking McDonald’s to bring back the Snack Wrap has nearly 19,000 signatures. A TikTok video showing a U.S. food reviewer eating Snack Wraps in Ireland — where they’re still sold — racked up more than 1.4 million views.
Preparations for the Return
For it’s latest launch, McDonald’s had to update its Snack Wrap tools, simplify the preparation process and train workers at its 13,500 U.S. restaurants, Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA told The Associated Press. “With this being one of our most highly anticipated menu items, we knew we had one chance to knock it out of the park. It had to be easy for crew to execute,” Erlinger said. For the U.S. comeback, McDonald’s is offering fewer kinds of Snack Wraps to ensure faster service. It used to have both grilled and fried chicken options, but it’s only offering fried chicken, in the form of a McCripsy Strip, in the U.S. for now.
Other New Menu Items
Over the past few years, McDonald’s has doubled down on chicken, launching a spin on classic chicken sandwiches, like the Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy. In 2024, the chain launched the limited-time Chicken Big Mac, and last month, after years of testing, McDonald’s added chicken tenders known as McCrispy Strips — the first permanent menu item in four years. “There’s so much opportunity in the chicken category,” Erlinger said. Fast-food chicken sales are nearly twice the size of beef and are growing more quickly across the globe, he said.
Conclusion
The return of the Snack Wrap to McDonald’s menus marks a significant moment for the fast-food giant, catering to the long-standing demands of its loyal customer base. With its new offerings and streamlined preparation process, McDonald’s aims to provide an enhanced dining experience while capitalizing on the growing demand for chicken-based meals.
FAQs
- Q: When did the Snack Wrap return to McDonald’s menus?
- A: The Snack Wrap officially returned to McDonald’s menus on Thursday, after a nearly 10-year hiatus.
- Q: What flavors are the new Snack Wraps available in?
- A: The new Snack Wraps are available in two flavors: Ranch and Spicy.
- Q: How much do the new Snack Wraps cost?
- A: Most McDonald’s locations will offer the Snack Wrap at $2.99, though pricing and participation may vary.
- Q: Why was the Snack Wrap initially removed from menus?
- A: The Snack Wrap was too complicated for McDonald’s kitchens to prepare, leading to its removal from U.S. menus in 2016.
- Q: Are the Snack Wraps available at all McDonald’s locations?
- A: While the Snack Wrap is returning to menus, pricing and participation may vary by location, so it’s best to check with your local McDonald’s for availability.
