Emily Carter
McDonald's has had a few different iterations of chicken tenders on its menu over the years, including Chicken Selects and Buttermilk Crispy Tenders. Chicken Selects were introduced in 2002 and removed in 2013, while Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were added in 2017 but discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been some speculation that McDonald's is planning to bring back chicken tenders in the US, with sources indicating that the company is working on new processes and equipment that could facilitate this. However, it's important to note that these reports are unconfirmed, and McDonald's has not released any official statements confirming the return of chicken tenders to the menu as of yet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken tender product name | Chicken Selects, Buttermilk Crispy Tenders |
| Chicken tender debut year | 2002 |
| Chicken tender removal year | 2013 |
| Reason for removal | Did not earn a spot on the permanent menu, low sales, supply issues, expensive |
| Current availability | Still available in the U.K. |
| Future availability | Confirmed to return to the menu in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013
McDonald's Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013. The chicken tenders had debuted in 2002 and remained a fan favorite for several years. However, some customers had less fond memories of the tenders, with some calling them "90% breading and 10% chicken" and claiming that they tasted "cheap."
While the exact reasons for their discontinuation remain unknown, there are a few speculated reasons. One possibility is that sales of the Chicken Selects experienced a decline in the years leading up to their removal. Additionally, it was rumored that the tenders were more expensive for McDonald's to keep in stock, which may have contributed to the decision to discontinue them.
Following their removal from the menu, McDonald's introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017 as another attempt at chicken tenders. However, these were also removed from the menu in 2020 due to the pandemic and a desire to simplify the menu.
Chicken tenders have yet to make a reappearance on American McDonald's menus, and the Chicken Selects have not returned to the U.S. menus since their discontinuation in 2013. However, they can still be found at McDonald's locations in the U.K.
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Buttermilk Crispy Tenders replaced them in 2017
McDonald's no longer serves its famous Chicken Selects, which were discontinued in 2013. However, in 2017, the fast-food giant introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders to its menu.
The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were introduced in August 2017 as a replacement for the Chicken Selects. This new offering was well-received by customers, with high demand leading to a brief supply shortage. The tenders were made from chicken breast strips, seasoned with a blend including salt, spices, and onion powder, and then breaded and fried to create a crispy texture.
The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McDonald's made this decision to streamline its menu, improve efficiency, and ensure the safety of its operations during a challenging period.
Despite the tenders' popularity, they faced challenges with supply and profitability. There were difficulties in maintaining sufficient stock, and the tenders were reportedly more expensive than similar offerings at competing restaurants, affecting their sales volume and profitability for McDonald's.
In December 2024, McDonald's confirmed that chicken tenders would return to the menu in 2025, alongside Snack Wraps. This announcement has excited fans who fondly remember the previous iterations of chicken tenders, whether they loved or hated them.
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Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were also discontinued in 2020
McDonald's has discontinued chicken tenders twice. The first iteration, Chicken Selects, was introduced in 2002 and removed from the menu in 2013. In 2017, McDonald's introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, which were also discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The removal of Buttermilk Crispy Tenders from McDonald's menus can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the pandemic caused McDonald's to simplify its menus for efficiency and safety reasons. The tenders may have been discontinued due to their labour-intensive preparation process. They required a specific thawing and cooking procedure, which could have been challenging to manage alongside other menu items. Additionally, there were challenges in maintaining sufficient supply at cheap prices, which may have impacted their profitability.
Some customers expressed disappointment about the removal of Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, while others recalled less pleasant experiences with the previous Chicken Selects, which were criticised for being "90% breading and 10% chicken." Despite the mixed reviews, many customers are anticipating the return of chicken tenders to McDonald's menus.
In December 2024, McDonald's confirmed that Chicken Selects would be returning to the menu in 2025, alongside Snack Wraps. However, it is unclear if and when the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders will make a comeback. There are rumours that McDonald's may opt for a quicker rollout of Snack Wraps, while the reintroduction of tenders may require more time due to the need for new equipment and processes.
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Chicken Selects are rumoured to return in 2025
McDonald's Chicken Selects, also known as Chicken Tenders, were removed from the menu in 2013. While some customers fondly reminisce about the item, others were less enthusiastic, with some criticising the high breading-to-chicken ratio.
In December 2024, McDonald's confirmed that the Chicken Selects would be returning to the menu in 2025. This was corroborated by a Reddit post from a user claiming to be a McDonald's employee, who wrote that their general manager had said that 2025 would be "the year of the chicken".
The return of the Chicken Selects is rumoured to be part of a slow rollout that will involve existing products with no new prep or major learning curves. This route would mean a quicker path to reintroducing wraps, while any route involving new products like tenders or grilled chicken would require more time and training.
Chicken Selects are currently still available at McDonald's locations in the UK.
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The removal of tenders was due to low sales volume
McDonald's removed chicken tenders from its menu in 2013, and they have not returned since. The official reason for their removal is unknown, but it is speculated that low sales volume played a role.
Chicken Selects, as they were called, were first introduced in 2002 and quickly became a fan favorite. However, over time, their popularity may have waned. Some customers complained about the quality, describing them as "90% breading and 10% chicken," and expressing disappointment with the taste and texture.
In addition to customer feedback, there were also challenges with supply and profitability. McDonald's reportedly struggled to source sufficient quantities of tenders at cheap prices, impacting their ability to offer the product at a competitive price point. The tenders were more expensive than similar options at other restaurants, which likely contributed to lower sales.
The labor-intensive preparation process may have also been a factor in the decision to discontinue the tenders. Employees had to follow specific steps for thawing and cooking the tenders, which required more time and effort than other menu items.
While McDonald's has not provided an official explanation for the removal of chicken tenders, the combination of low sales volume, supply issues, profitability concerns, and labor-intensive preparation may have collectively led to their discontinuation.
Despite the removal of tenders, McDonald's has expressed a commitment to evolving its menu and meeting the changing needs of its customers. The company is always evaluating new options and making adjustments to provide a variety of choices for its patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
No, McDonald's discontinued its chicken tenders in 2013.
There are a few reasons why McDonald's discontinued its chicken tenders. Some sources claim that the chicken tenders were discontinued due to low sales volume and the high cost of keeping them in stock. Others suggest that the decision was made to simplify the menu and improve efficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some people enjoyed McDonald's chicken tenders, others were less fond of them, with some describing them as "90% breading and 10% chicken". However, when the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were introduced in 2017, they were so popular that McDonald's ran out of stock shortly after their debut.
Yes, McDonald's chicken tenders are still available in the UK and Canada.
There are rumours that McDonald's will bring back chicken tenders in 2025, along with Snack Wraps and other chicken items.
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