McDonald’s US announces Snack Wrap return after 8-year hiatus

USA – The world’s largest QSR chain McDonald’s has announced the return of the Snack Wrap to its US menus after the menu item was discontinued in 2016.

McDonald’s first introduced its Snack Wraps in 2006, featuring chicken, lettuce, and cheese in a tortilla. Two years later, supermodel Heidi Klum helped promote the product.

Despite their initial success, Snack Wraps were later discontinued in the US due to franchisees’ concerns about the lengthy preparation process, according to a report by Bloomberg. 

Following years of customer demand, including a Change.org petition with 18,000 signatures, McDonald’s plans to reintroduce Snack Wraps in 2025.

The announcement was made by McDonald’s US President Joe Erlinger on Good Morning America, though no specific date was provided.

While similar wraps have remained available in some international markets, US customers have been particularly vocal about their return. 

This move comes in the wake of a recent E. coli outbreak in October 2024, linked to onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, which impacted sales.

The outbreak led to the removal of the burger from outlets in several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, among others. In total, at least 104 individuals across 14 states fell ill, with the outbreak first reported on October 22. 

To address the fallout, McDonald’s has allocated US$100 million to support franchisees and drive customer traffic back to its restaurants.

Around US$65 million of this investment is directed to franchise owners in the most affected states, while US$35 million is earmarked for marketing and promotional efforts.

The company has since reintroduced Quarter Pounders to its menu. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded their investigation in December 2024, confirming that there is no longer a public health risk.

According to the CDC, no new E. coli cases have been reported since October 21, which aligns with McDonald’s decision to remove the affected products from the menus. 

As McDonald’s prepares for the Snack Wrap’s return, it aims to rebuild consumer trust and sales momentum through strategic investments and product reintroductions.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.