McDonald's workers in the United States have signalled the imminent arrival of the fast-food giant's largest-ever burger, the Big Arch, more than two years after it was first announced globally.
The Supersized Details of the Big Arch
The colossal new offering, dubbed the Big Arch, features two beef patties layered with three slices of processed white cheese. It is topped with a combination of crispy and fresh onions, pickles, lettuce, and a newly created tangy 'Big Arch' sauce. This burger represents a significant milestone for the chain, as it is the first new permanent, worldwide menu item since Chicken McNuggets debuted back in 1983.
First discussed in December 2023, the burger's details and a trial in Canada were revealed in the summer of 2024. It subsequently launched in the UK, but American fans were left waiting. This now appears to be changing. An internal document for managers, posted on Reddit by a US employee over the weekend, listed the Big Arch among new items scheduled for a January introduction. It was listed alongside hot honey sauce and the returning Oreo and Shamrock shakes.
Customer Reactions and Strategic Shift
Early reviews from those who tried the Big Arch overseas have focused on its sheer size. Descriptions ranged from "massive" to feeling like "two Big Macs in one," with some joking it was simply "too much." However, the new signature sauce received mixed feedback, with several commenters in a McDonald's employees' forum stating they would prefer the classic Big Mac sauce instead.
Price is another key consideration for US consumers. In the Canadian trial, a Big Arch meal with fries and a drink cost approximately $12.59 CAD, which is roughly $9 USD. This positions it as a premium option within McDonald's own lineup but still undercuts many competitor offerings.
The development of the Big Arch is part of a broader strategic pivot. Following a reported sales decline in 2024—the first since the COVID-19 lockdowns—McDonald's has been fighting to win back customers. A focus on value, including a $5 four-item meal deal in late 2024 and into 2025, has been coupled with a new emphasis on larger, more filling items. CEO Chris Kempczinski has described the Big Arch as a "quintessential McDonald's burger with a twist," highlighting this move away from endless variations on existing burgers.
Broader Menu Scrutiny and Legal Challenges
The push for the Big Arch coincides with increased scrutiny on other parts of the McDonald's menu. The company was recently hit with a proposed class-action lawsuit concerning the McRib sandwich. Four plaintiffs allege the fast-food chain misleads customers by implying the sandwich contains real pork rib meat through its name and rib-shaped patty, while it allegedly uses processed pork from lower-quality cuts. McDonald's maintains the McRib, introduced in 1982, is made with '100 percent' boneless pork.
McDonald's has tested larger formats before with success; the Double Big Mac, featuring four patties, returned for a limited time in January 2023 at a price of $7 and proved popular during its month-long sale. The permanent arrival of the Big Arch signifies a committed step into the supersized burger market as the chain adapts to changing consumer demands for both value and substantial meals.
