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McDonald’s Plans Changes to Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets Following Burger King’s 8.5% Growth in Comparable Sales Against 0.8% for Rival. Whopper Sees 20% Increase After Revamp as McDonald’s Plans to Revise Bread, Meat, Cheese, Onions, Restaurants, Service, and Training for Over 2 Million Employees.
McDonald’s is preparing changes to the Big Mac, the Chicken McNuggets, and its restaurant operations in the United States amid faster growth for Burger King. In the second quarter of 2026, the rival’s comparable sales grew 8.5% in the North American market, while McDonald’s recorded an increase of 0.8% during the same period.
The information was published by Diário do Litoral on August 19, 2026, in a report by Thiago Felipe Camargo. The response is part of the “McDonald’s Next” plan, which aims for interventions in products, units, and training, while Burger King attributes part of its performance to the Whopper’s revamp in its “Reclaim the Flame” strategy.
Burger King Grew 8.5% While McDonald’s Advanced 0.8%
The results from the second quarter of 2026 placed the two chains on different trajectories in the United States. Burger King reported an 8.5% growth in comparable sales, while McDonald’s limited growth to 0.8%.
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Burger King has also managed to attract more customers back to its restaurants after implementing changes to one of the most traditional items on its menu.
Whopper Sales Increased by 20% After Revamp
The Whopper has undergone a series of changes as part of the “Reclaim the Flame” initiative created by Burger King to regain market share.
According to the company, sales of the sandwich grew 20% following the changes. The revamping affected the bun, mayonnaise, and condiments, as well as the presentation used for delivery to consumers.
The Whopper’s paper bag has been replaced by a cardboard package
The redesign is not limited to the ingredients of the chain’s flagship sandwich.
The old paper bag used to package the Whopper has been replaced by a cardboard container, incorporating product presentation into the renewal strategy.
The “McDonald’s Next” plan places the Big Mac among the main targets
McDonald’s responded with a strategy called “McDonald’s Next”, which includes changes across various points of the experience offered by the chain.
The Big Mac is among the products expected to undergo adjustments. Instead of abandoning the familiar composition, the company plans to enhance specific elements of the preparation.
Big Mac bun should be softer and better toasted
One of the planned changes directly affects the sandwich bun.
McDonald’s aims to make it softer and better toasted, altering one of the components that impact both texture and the final preparation of the Big Mac.
Meat should be juicier, and cheese will have more uniform melting
The preparation of the meat is also part of the changes announced by the company.
The intention is to offer a juicier patty and to ensure the cheese melts more uniformly, reducing discrepancies in results between orders prepared in restaurants.
Onion will be placed directly on the meat during cooking
The traditional pieces of onion in the Big Mac will also see changes in the preparation method.
The proposal is to place the onion directly on the meat during cooking, modifying the stage at which the ingredient is incorporated into the sandwich.
Chicken McNuggets are set to be crispier and juicier
The Chicken McNuggets are also included in the product review process.
McDonald’s intends to make them crispier on the outside and juicier on the inside, while also aiming for greater consistency in the results delivered to consumers.
Revamp Goes Beyond Recipes and Reaches Restaurants
The plan is not limited to the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets. The chain is preparing physical and operational changes at its locations.
The project includes more self-service kiosks, new configurations for the drive-thru, larger areas for customers, and redesigned kitchens.
Drive-Thru and Kitchens Will Be Reviewed as Part of the Strategy
The new drive-thru configurations are part of an effort to reassess the entire purchasing experience.
Kitchens are also expected to be redesigned, connecting product changes to how orders are prepared and delivered at the locations.
More Than 2 Million Will Participate in Training Program
McDonald’s is also planning a broad training initiative starting on October 5.
Over 2 million employees, managers, workers, and suppliers are expected to participate in the program, which focuses on both food preparation and customer service.
Service Becomes Part of the Response to Competitive Advances
The strategy considers that competition among chains does not depend solely on price or sandwich composition.
The dining experience, perceived quality, order size, and service speed also influence consumer choice, prompting McDonald’s to include these aspects in its review.
Burger King Also Bets on Combos and Lower-Priced Meals
While McDonald’s prepares its revamp, Burger King is trying to maintain the growth recorded in the United States.
The chain is working on new combo formats and lower-priced meal options in the U.S. market, expanding its strategy beyond changes made to the Whopper.
Burger King’s Parent Company Grew Over 5% Globally
The positive performance for Burger King also appeared in the global figures presented by the source.
The parent company of the chain reported global growth of over 5%, while McDonald’s saw a 1.5% increase in worldwide revenue.
Changes Not Yet Confirmed for Brazil
Currently, the main actions are taking place in the United States, where recent figures have placed Burger King ahead in comparable sales growth.
There is no confirmation yet on when all the changes planned by McDonald’s will arrive in other markets, including Brazil. The U.S. strategy will continue to involve the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, restaurants, service, and training while the chain tries to respond to the recent advances by its competitor.
In your opinion, will changes in the preparation of the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets be enough for McDonald’s to regain ground against the Whopper’s growth, or will restaurants and service play a bigger role in this competition? Share your thoughts in the comments.
