Jake Harper
McDonald's has had a few attempts at introducing chicken tenders to its menu, but none have stuck around. The first, Chicken Selects, were introduced in 2002 and removed in 2013. They were replaced by Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017, but these were also discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic. McDonald's has confirmed that Chicken Selects will be returning to the menu in 2025, but it remains to be seen whether they will be a permanent fixture this time. The company has struggled to make chicken tenders profitable, with supply issues and the labour-intensive preparation process contributing to their removal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for discontinuation | Low sales, expensive to keep in stock, and labor-intensive |
| Removal date | 2013 |
| Return date | 2025 |
| Alternative product | Buttermilk Crispy Tenders |
| Alternative product removal date | 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013
There are several speculated reasons behind McDonald's decision to discontinue Chicken Selects. Some sources suggest that the chicken tenders experienced low sales and were more expensive to keep in stock. It is rumored that McDonald's tried to find ways to add Selects to other dishes before supplies went cold and had to be thrown out. Others speculate that the process of preparing Chicken Selects was labor-intensive and required a new oven, which was costly for franchisees.
While the exact reasons for the discontinuation remain a mystery, it appears that a combination of factors, including sales, profitability, and operational considerations, contributed to McDonald's decision to remove Chicken Selects from the menu.
In 2017, McDonald's introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in the U.S., but these were also discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic and simplification of the menu. Chicken tenders have not made a comeback on American menus since then. However, McDonald's confirmed in December 2024 that Chicken Selects will be returning to the menu in 2025, much to the delight of long-time fans.
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Low sales and high costs may have been factors
McDonald's discontinued its Chicken Selects in 2013, and they have not returned to the US menu since. While the tenders were a fan favorite, there is speculation that low sales and high costs may have contributed to their removal.
According to Business Insider, McDonald's chicken tenders experienced low sales for years before their discontinuation. The high price of the tenders may have been a factor in the low sales volume, as they were more expensive than similar offerings at other restaurants.
Additionally, the preparation process for the tenders was labor-intensive. They had to be moved to a thawing rack and labeled, and cooking them from frozen yielded subpar results. This required a similar process to that used for buns, adding to the labor required.
To address this, McDonald's planned to introduce a new oven for cooking chicken items, including tenders. However, franchisees balked at the cost of the new ovens, which were expensive and required additional ventilation infrastructure.
In 2017, McDonald's introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, which were well-received by customers. However, these tenders were also discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the company simplified its menu for efficiency and safety.
While McDonald's has not brought back chicken tenders to its US menu, the company has confirmed that Chicken Selects will return to the menu in 2025.
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Buttermilk Crispy Tenders replaced them in 2017
Chicken Selects, McDonald's original chicken tenders, were discontinued in 2013. While they were a fan favorite, McDonald's reported that they did not earn a spot on the permanent menu.
In 2017, McDonald's introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, a similar chicken tender product. Fans were excited about this new item, and McDonald's even ran out of stock shortly after its debut.
However, the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McDonald's removed the tenders from the menu to simplify their offerings for efficiency and safety reasons.
The removal of the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders left a chicken tender-shaped hole in the hearts of some customers. Despite the tenders not being universally loved, with some customers complaining that they were "90% breading and 10% chicken", they were a big hit with the public.
Franchisees had balked at the cost of the new ovens required for preparing the tenders, and the pandemic put a halt to those plans. Now, in 2024, McDonald's has confirmed that chicken tenders will be returning to the menu in 2025.
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Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were discontinued in 2020
McDonald's has long offered various poultry options, from McNuggets to Crispy Chicken Sandwiches. However, the discontinuation of its Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2020 left a chicken tender-shaped hole in the hearts of some customers.
The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were introduced in August 2017 and were well-received by customers. However, they were discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McDonald's made this decision to simplify its menus and improve efficiency and safety. The removal of the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders was part of McDonald's evolving menu, adapting to the changing needs of its customers.
Some have speculated that the chicken tenders were discontinued due to low sales and profitability concerns. They were reportedly more expensive than similar offerings at other restaurants, which may have contributed to their removal. Additionally, there were challenges in maintaining sufficient supply at cheap prices. These factors may have influenced McDonald's decision to remove the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders from their menu.
The preparation process for the tenders was also labour-intensive. They required a specific thawing and cooking process, and McDonald's was planning to introduce a new oven for all chicken items, which would streamline the process. However, the pandemic disrupted these plans, and the tenders were discontinued before the new ovens could be implemented.
While the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders are yet to return to American McDonald's locations, the company has confirmed that Chicken Selects and Snack Wraps will be back on the menu in 2025.
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McDonald's will bring back Chicken Selects in 2025
McDonald's has confirmed that it will bring back its Chicken Selects in 2025. The Chicken Selects, or Chicken Select Strips, were first introduced to the menu in 2002 and remained a fan favorite for over a decade until their removal in 2013.
Speculation abounds as to why the Chicken Selects were discontinued. Some sources claim that the chicken tenders were not profitable due to low sales and high costs, with McDonald's struggling to source sufficient supply at cheap prices. The tenders were also labor-intensive, requiring a specific preparation process that included a thawing rack and labeling. It is rumored that they were more expensive to keep in stock than other chicken options, and some customers complained that they were “90% breading and 10% chicken."
However, the Chicken Selects certainly had their fans, and McDonald's has listened to their customers' changing needs. In 2017, the fast-food chain introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders to the menu, which were well-received but discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic. Now, McDonald's is bringing back the Chicken Selects, along with Snack Wraps, in 2025.
The Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips are made with chicken breast strips, seasoning, and breading. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, offering a tasty treat for chicken lovers. While the return of the Chicken Selects is exciting news for some, others remain skeptical, hoping that McDonald's has improved the recipe since the original tenders.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken Selects were a type of chicken tender that McDonald's sold from 2002 until 2013. They were discontinued due to low sales volume and the high cost of keeping them in stock.
Yes, in 2017 McDonald's released Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in the US. However, these were also discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic.
No, chicken tenders are not currently available at McDonald's locations in the US. However, they can still be found at McDonald's in the UK.
There are rumours that McDonald's will bring back chicken tenders in 2025, along with Snack Wraps. They are currently testing McCrispy Chicken Strips at seven locations in Hickory, North Carolina.
