Restaurants: McDonald’s brings back unexpected breakfast item after 6 years

Why it is the topic trending:

• Unexpected Return: McDonald's is bringing back the Blueberry McGriddles after a hiatus of six years, which is surprising and generating interest among fans who remember or heard about the item.

• Fan-Favorite Item: McGriddles, in general, are described as a fan-favorite breakfast item, making any news about their variations noteworthy.

• Limited-Time Offering: The original testing of Blueberry McGriddles was for a limited time, and this return is also likely to be temporary, creating a sense of urgency among consumers.

• Public Demand: The initial testing in 2019 suggests there was enough consumer interest to warrant a potential national launch, and this return indicates that demand may still exist.

• Innovation in Breakfast Menu: McDonald's is known for its breakfast offerings, and the return of a flavored McGriddles shows their continued interest in menu innovation.

• Social Media Buzz: The return of a previously popular item often generates discussions and excitement on social media platforms.

Overview: McDonald's is making a surprising comeback by reintroducing the Blueberry McGriddles to its breakfast menu after six years. McGriddles, known for their fluffy, pancake-like griddle cakes infused with maple syrup, have been a fan favorite since their debut in 2003. In 2019, McDonald's tested Blueberry McGriddles, which added a fruity twist to the classic by incorporating blueberries into the cakes, in select locations around Washington, D.C. While the initial test didn't lead to a nationwide launch, the Blueberry McGriddles are now unexpectedly returning to menus six years later, likely for a limited time. This move is generating buzz among McDonald's enthusiasts and breakfast lovers who may have missed the chance to try them previously.

Detailed findings:

• McGriddles Debut: McDonald's first introduced McGriddles to its breakfast menu in 2003.

• McGriddles Description: McGriddles consist of fluffy, pancake-like griddle cakes infused with maple syrup.

• Blueberry McGriddles Testing: McDonald's began testing Blueberry McGriddles in 2019 in over 100 locations across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for a limited time.

• Blueberry McGriddles Description: Blueberry McGriddles combine the classic McGriddles cakes with blueberries, giving them a fruity twist.

• Initial Test Outcome: The test aimed to gather consumer feedback but did not immediately lead to a nationwide launch.

• Return After Six Years: Blueberry McGriddles are now returning unexpectedly six years later.

Key success factors of product (trend):

• Familiarity and Nostalgia: McGriddles are a well-known and loved breakfast item, so a new variation taps into existing positive associations.

• Unique Flavor Combination: The mix of sweet maple and potentially savory breakfast fillings is already a draw, and adding blueberry introduces another layer of flavor complexity.

• Limited-Time Availability: The likely temporary nature of the offering creates a sense of urgency and encourages customers to try it before it's gone.

• Breakfast Innovation: Offering new flavors within a popular breakfast platform keeps the menu fresh and interesting.

• Potential for Broad Appeal: The combination of sweet and savory with fruit could appeal to a wide range of breakfast preferences.

• Brand Loyalty: McDonald's has a large and loyal customer base, many of whom are likely to try new or returning menu items.

Key Takeaway: McDonald's is bringing back the Blueberry McGriddles for the first time in six years, surprising fans who may have missed the initial test in 2019. This limited-edition return adds a fruity twist to the popular maple-infused pancake griddle cakes, offering a sweet and savory breakfast option.

Main trend: The main trends highlighted by the return of Blueberry McGriddles are: Nostalgia and Return of Fan Favorites and Flavor Innovation in Familiar Products.

Description of the trend (please name it): 1. Nostalgia and Return of Fan Favorites: This trend involves food brands bringing back popular or beloved menu items from the past, often after a significant hiatus. This taps into consumers' fond memories and creates excitement around the return of a familiar product, as seen with the comeback of Blueberry McGriddles.

2. Flavor Innovation in Familiar Products: This trend describes brands taking existing popular products and introducing new flavors or variations to keep the menu fresh and appeal to evolving consumer tastes. By adding blueberry to the classic McGriddles, McDonald's is engaging in flavor innovation within a well-established product line.

What is consumer motivation:

• Nostalgia and Reminiscing: Consumers who enjoyed Blueberry McGriddles during its initial testing or remember hearing about it may be motivated by nostalgia to try it again.

• Curiosity About New Flavors: Even fans of the original McGriddles might be curious to experience the addition of blueberry and how it complements the sweet and savory flavors.

• Desire for Variety: Regular McDonald's breakfast customers may be looking for new and interesting options to break up their routine.

• Limited-Time Offer Appeal: Knowing that the Blueberry McGriddles are likely to be available for a limited time can motivate consumers to try them before they disappear again.

• Trust in a Familiar Brand: Consumers who trust the McDonald's brand are more likely to try a new or returning menu item.

• Seeking a Sweet and Savory Breakfast Option: The McGriddles platform already appeals to those who enjoy a combination of sweet and savory flavors, and blueberry adds another sweet dimension.

What is driving trend:

• Consumer Demand and Social Media Buzz: Brands often monitor social media and listen to customer feedback, and the return of Blueberry McGriddles suggests there may have been ongoing demand.

• Success of Past Limited-Time Offers: McDonald's frequently uses limited-time menu items to generate excitement and drive traffic, and the return of a previously tested item might be based on its past performance.

• Menu Innovation as a Strategy: Fast food chains need to continuously innovate their menus to attract and retain customers in a competitive market.

• Capitalizing on Popular Flavor Trends: Blueberry is a popular flavor in various food categories, and its inclusion in a breakfast item aligns with broader flavor trends.

What is motivation beyond the trend:

• Convenience and Accessibility: McDonald's is a widely accessible and convenient option for breakfast on the go.

• Taste and Familiarity: Consumers often return to McDonald's for familiar flavors and consistent quality.

• Part of a Breakfast Routine: For many, a McDonald's breakfast is an established part of their morning routine.

• Affordability: McDonald's offers relatively affordable breakfast options compared to some other food establishments.

Description of consumers article is referring to:

• Who are they: Primarily McDonald's breakfast customers in the United States.

• What kind of products they like: McDonald's breakfast menu items, particularly the McGriddles sandwich, and likely enjoy sweet and savory flavor combinations.

• What is their age?: Not explicitly stated, but given the McGriddles debuted in 2003, the target audience likely includes Millennials, Gen X, and potentially some older Gen Z who were aware of the product during its original run and testing phases.

• What is their gender?: Not specified in the article.

• What is their income?: Likely a broad range of income levels, as McDonald's appeals to a wide demographic.

• What is their lifestyle: Could include individuals who are looking for a quick and convenient breakfast option on their commute, families, and those who enjoy fast food breakfast on weekends.

• What are their category article is referring shopping preferences: Likely appreciate the convenience of drive-thru or mobile ordering, and are open to trying new or returning limited-time menu items from a familiar brand.

• Are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers: Could range from occasional customers who are drawn in by the novelty of the Blueberry McGriddles to frequent McDonald's breakfast patrons.

• What are their general shopping preferences-how they shop products, shopping motivations: Motivated by convenience, taste, value, and the appeal of familiar brands and occasional new or returning items.

Conclusions: McDonald's decision to bring back the Blueberry McGriddles after six years is a strategic move that taps into nostalgia, flavor innovation, and the popularity of their McGriddles platform. This limited-time offering is likely to generate excitement among their customer base and attract those curious to try the fruity twist on a breakfast favorite. The return also highlights the ongoing importance of menu innovation and responding to consumer demand in the competitive fast-food market.

Implications for brands:

• Fast Food Chains: Should consider revisiting popular limited-time offerings from the past, as they can generate significant buzz and drive customer traffic.

• Breakfast Food Brands: Innovating with familiar breakfast items by introducing new flavors or variations can be an effective way to keep the menu fresh and appeal to evolving tastes.

• Marketing Teams: Can leverage nostalgia and the "limited-time only" message to create effective marketing campaigns around returning or new product variations.

Implication for society:

• Consumer Excitement Over Familiar Brands: The return of a beloved item from a major chain can create a shared sense of excitement and nostalgia among consumers.

• Influence of Past Product Success: The success of previous limited-time offerings can inform future menu decisions by fast-food companies.

Implications for consumers:

• Opportunity to Try a Previously Limited-Time Item: Consumers who missed out on the Blueberry McGriddles in 2019 will now have another chance to try it.

• More Variety in Breakfast Options: The return adds a new flavor profile to McDonald's breakfast menu for a limited period.

Implication for Future:

• Likely More "Throwback" Menu Items: The success of returning fan favorites might encourage other fast-food brands to bring back popular items from their past.

• Continued Flavor Experimentation: Expect to see more fast-food chains experimenting with different flavors and ingredients within their existing menu platforms.

Consumer Trend (name, detailed description): Nostalgic Consumption in Food: This trend involves consumers' positive emotional response to familiar food and beverage items from the past, leading to a desire for brands to bring back these beloved products for a limited time or permanently, creating a sense of comfort and relived memories.

Consumer Sub Trend (name, detailed description): Flavor Curiosity Within Comfort Zones: Consumers often enjoy trying new flavors and variations of familiar foods from brands they trust. This allows for a sense of novelty without straying too far from established preferences.

Big Social Trend (name, detailed description): The Power of "FOMO" in Consumption: The fear of missing out (FOMO) on limited-time offers and trending products significantly influences consumer behavior, driving them to try items like the Blueberry McGriddles before they potentially disappear again.

Worldwide Social Trend (name, detailed description): Global Fast Food Innovation: Fast food chains around the world are continuously innovating their menus to cater to local tastes and global trends, with limited-time offers and unique flavor combinations being common strategies.

Social Drive (name, detailed description): The Pursuit of Comfort and Familiarity: In times of change or stress, consumers often turn to familiar and comforting products, including food, providing a sense of stability and reassurance.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025:

• Pay Attention to Social Media and Customer Feedback: Monitor online discussions and feedback to identify popular past items that could be worth bringing back.

• Don't Be Afraid to Revive Successful LTOs: Limited-time offers that performed well previously are likely to be successful again.

• Consider Flavor Extensions of Core Products: Introducing new flavors to existing popular items can attract both loyal customers and those looking for something new.

• Leverage Nostalgia in Marketing: Highlight the history and positive memories associated with returning menu items.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:

• Identify and Test Returning Fan Favorites: Conduct market research to determine which past menu items have the strongest potential for a successful comeback.

• Create Engaging Marketing Campaigns for LTOs: Generate excitement and a sense of urgency around limited-time offerings through creative and targeted marketing.

• Utilize Data to Inform Menu Innovation: Analyze sales data and customer feedback to identify opportunities for flavor extensions and new product development within existing platforms.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified), and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it. McDonald's return of the Blueberry McGriddles highlights the consumer interest in nostalgic food items and flavor innovation within familiar menus, suggesting that in 2025, brands and companies should consider reviving popular past products and experimenting with new flavor variations of existing favorites to capture consumer attention and drive sales.

Final Note:

• Core Trend: Nostalgia and Return of Fan Favorites - Consumers enjoy the return of beloved menu items from the past.

• Core Strategy: Revive Successful Limited-Time Offers - Bring back popular items from the past to generate excitement and sales.

• Core Industry Trend: Flavor Innovation in Familiar Products - Introduce new flavors within existing popular product lines.

• Core Consumer Motivation: Nostalgia and Curiosity - Consumers are driven by fond memories and the desire to try new variations of familiar foods.

Final Conclusion,: McDonald's decision to bring back the Blueberry McGriddles after six years underscores the power of nostalgia and the appeal of flavor innovation within established menu platforms. This move is likely to resonate with consumers who remember the initial offering and those curious to try a fruity twist on a breakfast classic. For brands and companies in 2025, this example provides valuable insight into the potential of leveraging their own history and experimenting with new flavors to engage customers and stay competitive in the market.

Core Trend Detailed: The core trend of Nostalgia and Return of Fan Favorites in the food industry describes a significant consumer behavior where individuals experience a positive emotional connection to products they consumed or were familiar with in the past. This sentiment often leads to a strong desire for brands to bring back these discontinued or limited-time offerings. The return of the McDonald's Blueberry McGriddles after six years perfectly illustrates this trend, tapping into consumers' memories and creating excitement around the re-emergence of a beloved breakfast item. This trend leverages the powerful emotional ties consumers form with food and can be a highly effective strategy for generating buzz and driving sales for brands.

Key Characteristics of the Core trend:

• Emotional Connection: Consumers feel a sense of fondness, comfort, or happiness associated with the recalled product.

• Memory and Familiarity: The returned item often triggers memories of past experiences or simpler times.

• Demand and Advocacy: Often, there's vocal demand from consumers on social media or directly to the brand for the return of the product.

• Limited-Time Availability (Often): Brands frequently bring back nostalgic items for a limited period to create urgency and excitement.

• Marketing Leverage: The return is often accompanied by marketing campaigns that play on these nostalgic feelings.

• Potential for Reaching New Audiences: While appealing to those who remember the product, it can also generate curiosity among younger consumers who never experienced it before.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend:

• Prevalence of Retro and Vintage Trends: Popular culture often sees cycles of nostalgia, with trends from past decades becoming popular again in fashion, music, and food.

• Social Media's Role in Reminiscing: Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit often host discussions and campaigns by consumers longing for the return of specific products.

• Brand Anniversaries and Milestones: Companies often leverage anniversaries as opportunities to bring back iconic products from their history.

• Economic Uncertainty Leading to Comfort Seeking: In times of uncertainty, consumers may gravitate towards familiar and comforting products from their past.

• The Success of Other Brands' Nostalgia Campaigns: Seeing other companies successfully revive past products can encourage brands to follow suit.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior:

• Increased Engagement with Brands on Social Media: Consumers actively petition and celebrate the return of nostalgic items online.

• Higher Likelihood of Impulse Purchases: The emotional connection to a returning favorite can lead to spontaneous purchases.

• Sharing of Experiences and Memories: The return of a product often prompts consumers to share their past experiences with it, further amplifying the trend.

• Trial by New Generations: Younger consumers may be influenced by the buzz and try the product for the first time out of curiosity.

• Potential for Brand Loyalty Strengthening: Successfully bringing back a beloved item can enhance consumers' positive feelings towards the brand.

Implications Across the Ecosystem (For Brands and CPGs, For Retailers, For Consumers, bullets):

• For Brands and CPGs:

  • Opportunity to re-engage with loyal customers and attract new ones.

  • Potential for significant sales spikes with returning popular items.

  • Can leverage existing brand equity and positive associations.

  • Requires careful consideration of product formulation and quality to meet nostalgic expectations.

• For Retailers:

  • Can benefit from increased foot traffic and sales driven by returning fan favorites.

  • Opportunity to create special displays and promotions around these items.

  • Can cater to a wide range of customers, from nostalgic older consumers to curious younger ones.

• For Consumers:

  • Chance to enjoy beloved products that they may have missed.

  • Opportunity to relive positive memories associated with these items.

  • Can experience a sense of connection with other consumers who share the same nostalgia.

Strategic Forecast:

• Continued Reliance on Nostalgia Marketing: Brands will likely continue to tap into consumers' fondness for the past as a marketing strategy.

• More Frequent Return of Limited-Time Offers: Companies may increasingly bring back popular limited-time items on a more regular basis.

• Leveraging Data to Identify High-Potential Returns: Brands will likely use data analytics to identify which past products have the strongest consumer demand.

• Potential for "Reimagined" Nostalgic Items: Some brands might bring back classics with slight updates to cater to modern tastes or dietary preferences.

Final Thought (summary): The return of McDonald's Blueberry McGriddles is a clear illustration of the power of nostalgia in the food industry. By bringing back a beloved menu item after a significant absence, McDonald's is tapping into consumers' fond memories and creating a sense of excitement and anticipation, demonstrating a successful strategy for engaging customers and driving interest.

Source: https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-brings-back-unexpected-breakfast-item-after-6-years