- McDonald's menu has changed a number of times since the chain was founded in 1955.
- Some of the menu additions have survived until 2018, but many ended up being short-lived.
- McDonald's discontinues foods for a number of reasons, whether it's because of poor sales, to make room for a different new item, or because it was a limited-edition product.
- Regardless of the reason, you likely won't be able to try McDonald's Hula Burger, McLobster, or Cheddar Melt ever again.
McDonald's menu has seen some pretty big changes since the chain was founded in 1955.
While some of its menu additions have survived until 2018, many were short-lived. McDonald's discontinues items for a number of reasons, whether it's because of poor sales, to make room for a different new item, or because it was a limited-edition product.
Some experimental menu items actually end up costing chains millions, like McDonald's Arch Deluxe, a "gourmet" burger that aimed to appeal to a more adult crowd but failed miserably. McDonald's spent an estimated $150 million to $200 million advertising the Arch Deluxe's rollout, which, at the time, was the most expensive promotional campaign in fast-food history, The New York Times reported.
Other items are meant to be available only for a limited time, like McDonald's Superhero Burger, which promoted a new "Batman" movie in the 1990s. Sometimes, products' flavors just aren't a hit with customers, like the McGratin Croquette, which was made from deep-fried macaroni, shrimp, and mashed potatoes.
Here are some other McDonald's items that didn't make it:
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McSalad Shakers only lasted for three years on the McDonald's menu.
Source: Insider
There were three different types: garden, chef, and grilled chicken Caesar.
Source: Insider
The Arch Deluxe, which was introduced in 1996, was one of the most expensive failures ever for McDonald's.
Source: Business Insider
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