McRibs To Experience Limited Distribution

For the third year running, McDonald's is giving their stores the option to serve McRibs for the holidays.

McDonald's boneless barbecue pork sandwich is a menu item that's released once annually. It has been making its appearance in the menu for more than two decades, but for the past three years, the burger chain has been giving their stores the option of not selling the sandwich.

Lisa Comb, McDonald's representative, said in an email that the menu item will still be offered of the restaurant locations. Though they won't release the official date of the McRibs' return, they said that it will be soon.

Comb said, "The McRib always makes a grand entrance on our menus and we don't want to steal its thunder-so stay tuned."

McRib is traditionally released on or before the first week of November as part of McDonald's fall lineup. Selling of the sandwich is ceased on December.

There's a varied interest level in pork in different areas. The difference in pork consumption seems varied enough for McDonald's to rethink rolling out the item nationwide. They change the system of re-releasing the product as they let restaurants to decide whether they'll participate with the campaign or not.

McRib experiences mixed reaction because while some criticizes the way its made, it also has a loyal fanbase. There's a website dedicated to tracking the stores that will be selling the limited item.

The sandwich, first launched as a national item in 1981, was re-introduced as a short-time menu item from 2006 onward. McDonald's announced the discontinuation of McRibs in 2005, and even held a farewell tour for the once popular sandwich.

The tour, however, proved to be a marketing ploy as it had Farewell Tours in both 2006 and 2007.

In Germany, the sandwich is sold year round, while the countries Philippines and Guatamela have started promoting the menu item.