McDonald’s Weighs Return of Grilled Chicken Amid Rising Beef Costs

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-10-22

Fast-food operator McDonald’s is considering reintroducing grilled chicken items to its menu as beef prices escalate and consumer demand for protein increases.

McDonald's Corp. is evaluating plans to reintroduce grilled chicken products to its national menu, according to industry sources. The potential shift comes as rising beef prices pressure operating margins and consumer preferences lean toward high-protein fast-food alternatives.

Grilled chicken items were largely removed from the chain's U.S. menus during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a broader push to streamline kitchen operations and reduce service times. While fried chicken offerings have expanded since then, healthier non-fried poultry options have remained absent from most domestic locations.

The consideration to bring back grilled chicken coincides with sustained inflation across the wholesale beef supply chain. Higher cattle prices have pushed up raw material costs for major quick-service restaurant chains, prompting operators to seek cost-effective menu balances that rely more heavily on poultry.

However, operational hurdles that previously led to the phase-out of grilled chicken persist. Former company executives note that preparing grilled poultry requires dedicated kitchen equipment, longer cook times, and specialized holding procedures, which can create bottlenecks in high-volume drive-thrus.

Franchise owners must also balance the potential for higher demand against the added complexity and capital expenditures needed for re-equipment. McDonald's has not formally announced a nationwide timeline for testing or launching any new grilled chicken menu line.