McDonald’s menu to stay limited for now

Don’t get your hopes up about having a parfait at McDonald’s anytime soon.

The fast-food juggernaut has informed franchisees that items that fell victim to streamlined menus during the coronavirus pandemic will remain on the sidelines for now.

That means diners will need to keep waiting if they want to get grilled chicken, a salad or bagel at the golden arches, The Wall Street Journal reported.

But certain fan favorites will be making a comeback, including two variations of its Quarter Pounder sandwich as well as the new Bacon McDouble. Soft-serve vanilla ice cream cones will also be back in time for summer.

McDonald’s executives said the simplified menu has helped improve its operations, according to the Journal, cutting 25 seconds off of its average drive-through waits. Customers also reported in surveys that “their food was better and their orders were more accurate,” the report said.

“Our menu strategy really has been focused as a result of COVID and the success we’ve had with a limited menu,” McDonald’s US president Joe Erlinger said on a call with franchisees.

McDonald’s in March streamlined its menu by cutting more than 100 items — including its popular allday breakfast menu — in an effort to “simplify operations in our kitchens and for our crew” as the pandemic gripped the nation.

The pandemic also forced “substantially all” locations in the US to offer only drive-through, delivery and carry-out service.