McDonald's tests a bigger burger, report says

CNN Money ^ | 3/7/07 | Staff

[Millee]

Fast-food chain McDonald's is testing a bigger high-end Angus burger that costs a little bit more for the extra weight, according to a published report Wednesday.

The Chicago Tribune said the new Third Pounder is currently available only in about 600 restaurant locations in Southern California. At one-third of a pound, the burger is the biggest on the McDonald's (Charts) menu at outlets where it is being tested.

It is also the most expensive sandwich, priced at $3.99, the paper said. America's most amired companies

The paper quoted McDonald's franchise owner Scott Frisbie as saying that he approached the company about two years ago with the idea that the McDonald's menu needed a premium burger to remain competitive.

Developed by McDonald's executive chef Dan Coudreaut, the burger comes on a denser bun, which Frisbie said has more of a "roll flavor," the report said.

"The initial reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said Frisbie, who helped conduct the initial tests of the burger during the past four months at two of his family's 17 franchises in the Anaheim area. "The sales really surprised us," he told the paper.

McDonald's traditionally has been cautious about adding new menu items. In recent years the company has introduced chicken snack wraps and salads to its menu.

[Millee]

Mmmmmmmm...the McClogger.

The food nazis are gonna have a aneurysm over this.

[SIDENET]

I'll try it.

[SF Republican]

The Prince Charles Special

[jdm]

The Chicago Tribune said the new Third Pounder is currently available only in about 600 restaurant locations in Southern California.

Um, you can already buy a Double Quarter Pounder at every McDonald's in the United States.

1/4 + 1/4 = 1/2 (pound), which is a bit more than the 1/3 pound that everyone is getting all excited about.

Don't know why all the fuss.

[SmithL]

I miss the good old days when it really did take two hands to handle a Whopper. Burger King gave away their most distinctive product when they turned the Whopper into just another quarter-pounder.

[JRios1968]

Not enough to make me give up my In n Out Double-Double.

[mainepatsfan]

I still demand that they bring back the super size option.

[goldstategop]

I find one burger isn't filling enough. I know once Michael Jacobson and the CSPI Food Police get wind of this, they will demand McDonald's keep it off the restaurant menu.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[RabidBartender]

I guess Hardee's Thickburger was on to something...

[sully777]

Now if they could actually test market a good tasting hamburger...

[processing please hold]

Hey, Mickey-D, bust this.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

That's because Burger King is still blowing them away in sales. When BK upped the fat and the size, to double super king size, in spite of what the food Nazis said or did.

When Mc Donald's caved to the PC Left, and banned fat, "Trans-fat" and served salads granola and cardboard sandwiches, they lost many customers. Maybe they'll learn.

But I doubt it.

[dynachrome]

[Mike Darancette]

And we can super size it?

[Larry Lucido]

Hmm, 1/3 lb for 3.99, or two double cheeseburgers for 99 cents each. Decisions, decisions.

[paulat]

If they added the tomato, lettuce, red onion to the regular burger or regular cheeseburger...it would be fine.

They don't give us that option.