Onion rings are a staple of fast food. You can get them in almost every fast-food joint or a popular fast-food chain. One notable exception, however, is McDonald’s.
Despite competitors like Burger King and KFC introducing onion rings as a side a while ago, McDonald’s has yet to follow along. And according to TikToker Mike Haracz, former corporate chef at McDonald’s, there is a good reason for that.
Responding to a question by a follower, Haracz explained that McDonald’s doesn’t sell onion rings because of “efficiency”. According to Haracz, McDonald’s is “most profitable when it is most efficient,” and that strive for efficiency even prompted the fast-food chain to start reducing their menu offerings lately.
The reason why making onion rings would make McDonald’s less efficient is because they already have a side option in French fries that works for them and brings them a lot of money. French fries are easier to make, sell like crazy, and come with a huge markup for the fast food chain.
On the other hand, onion rings are more complicated to make, wouldn’t come with a significant markup, and would also cut into French fries consumption. A lot of customers would prefer onion rings over French fries, making them less profitable.
Haracz concludes that McDonald’s will likely introduce onion rings as a limited option at some point, but you shouldn’t expect that to happen anytime soon.
