McDonald's has cancelled the national launch of its infamous McRib sandwich in order to focus on selling other profitable menu items the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
These include its new Mighty Wings, which are geared toward football fans. The company is also leaving it up to individual restaurants to put the McRib on their menu; a different approach since it last included the item on its menu the AP reported Wednesday.
The news is the latest development since the franchise restaurant chain tested out the sandwich to customers in restaurant locations over the last two weeks, and found it difficult to increase sales because a crucial sales figures fell.
"There are few things more legendary at McDonald's than the McRib," McDonald's told ABC News when a frozen form of the product popularized the internet Nov. 14. "It is a boneless, seasoned pork patty on a bun with slivered onions, two dill pickle slices and plenty of our sweet, smoky, barbecue style sauce. One reason our customers love the McRib is its fun and wonderful shape. Just like a burger patty is formed to be round and flat, we form the iconic McRib in the shape of traditional ribs. We then flash freeze the patty to seal in flavor and freshness, just like you freeze meat in your own freezer, before going to our restaurants. The McRib is also known for its iconic taste, which is why we use a quality cut of pork - pork shoulder - to give our McRib lovers a thicker, meatier McRib experience."
The McRib has 500 calories, 22 grams of protein, 26 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbohydrates, and 980 milligrams of sodium according to nutrition facts on the McDonald's website. The sandwich has pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce.
McDonald's saw sales increase 0.7 percent at its locations in operation a year or less.
