McDonald's New Menu Features International Favorites, Including Stroopwafel McFlurry

It’s not the McVegan meatless menu some were expecting, but the four new international snack items McDonald’s will add to its U.S.-based menu is a refreshing change from same-same.

The world’s largest restaurant chain by revenue on Wednesday said it will introduce the new international menu items on June 5, but only for a limited time. Its betting customers will turn out in large numbers to partake of the four new items while they’re still here.

McDonald’s and other fast-food chains normally resort to limited-time offers to ignite buzz around products, while giving people a reason to come into stores. Analysts said McDonald's is also trying to streamline its menu to increase speed and efficiency. The international items don't require many new ingredients, they said.

Two of these new snacks have European origins, one comes from that country up north while another has its origins in the country where only kangaroos thrive.

Stroopwafel McFlurry. This Dutch treat is a creamy vanilla soft serve mixed with a rich caramel swirl. It comes with authentic chopped Dutch Daelmans Stroopwafel (pronounced “stroop-vaffel”) caramel waffle cookie pieces.

A stroopwafel is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel syrup filling in the middle.

Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger, which comes from Spain, is a humungous quarter pound of 100 percent fresh beef topped with thick cut Applewood smoked bacon, smoky McBacon Sauce, real Gouda cheese and slivered onions served on a freshly toasted sesame seed bun.

Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich from Canada is made with grilled or crispy all-white meat, juicy and tender chicken. It’s topped with tomato and herb sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese, slivered onions, fresh lettuce and sliced Roma tomatoes served on a freshly toasted artisan roll.

Cheesy Bacon Fries from Australia are French fries topped with real cheddar cheese sauce and chopped Applewood Smoked bacon.

McDonald’s said this is the first time this many international items have been introduced to the U.S. at one time. It also said Stroopwafel McFlurry and Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger were tested in Florida in 2018.

Talking about the new snacks, Linda VanGosen, McDonald's Vice President of Menu Innovation, said the company is committed to creating everyday feel-good moments for customers no matter what McDonald's restaurant they walk into anywhere in the world.

"These are fairly easy to do, fairly easy builds," said Sam Oches, editorial director of Food News Media. "They might see it as ... an easy marketing win without stretching the operations too much.”