Restaurants and fast-food chains often launch new and innovative menu items to adapt to ever-evolving consumer trends and stay relevant in the market.
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With so much growing competition in this sector, it’s hard for restaurants and fast-food chains to develop completely new products. It has become common practice for these businesses to borrow and adapt each other’s ideas.
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Introducing menu items similar to those of competitors is also a way for businesses to compete more effectively with their rivals. It can aid in meeting market demand by filling gaps that are not being fully addressed.
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McDonald’s launches premium Lemonade nationwide
Starting Apr. 8, McDonald’s (MCD) is rolling out lemonade nationwide, just in time for spring. With this addition to its permanent menu, customers can enjoy it with their meals any time of year.
The fast food chain has served Minute Maid lemonade at all its U.S. locations for years, but the new lemonade is unlike the previous offering. It is handcrafted and contains natural ingredients, featuring real lemon juice, lemon pulp, and cane sugar.
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Although this premium lemonade may sound like a new addition to many, the menu item is actually not new. McDonald’s tested it in select locations across the U.S. in March 2023.
The lemonade was a total success and quickly became a fan favorite. Due to high demand and positive consumer feedback, McDonald’s decided to bring it to all markets nationwide so more people could enjoy it.
The nationwide rollout of this menu item doesn’t mean McDonald’s has ended its years-long relationship with Minute Maid. The fast food giant still offers and serves Minute Maid orange juice.
McDonald’s new nationwide lemonade rollout ups the competition among fast-food chains
Although lemonade is a common beverage offered at fast-food establishments, Chick-fil-A is one of the first restaurant chains to make its own natural version and turn it into a signature menu item.
Chick-fil-A introduced its freshly-squeezed lemonade in 1977, marketing it as a product made with real lemon juice and without preservatives or artificial colors.
Since then, freshly-squeezed lemonade has become the most-ordered drink on Chick-fil-A’s menu, which prompted it to launch more varieties. These include the diet version with Splenda and the frosted lemonade. It has even begun selling it by the gallon for super-fans to purchase at any location.
More Fast Food & Restaurant News:
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However, with McDonald’s nationwide launch of its handcrafted lemonade, Chick-fil-A’s reign as the top lemonade maker may be threatened.
McDonald’s is one of the largest fast food chains worldwide, with over 43,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. On the other hand, Chick-fil-A is much smaller, with over 3,000 locations across 48 U.S. states.
Unlike McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A has almost no current international presence, which gives its rival a leg up in the handcrafted lemonade game.
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