McDonald’s fans rejoice as popular breakfast item returns to US menus after four years

McDonald’s is bringing a popular breakfast dish back to the American menu after four years.

Bagels were first introduced at McDonald’s in late 2019, but were quickly axed when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 due to the pandemic.

After they disappeared, fans took to Twitter, Reddit and Facebook to call for their return.

They are so popular that a Facebook group with 25,000 members has been created titled Where’s My McDonald’s Bagel?

Their demands have been met and McDonald’s has confirmed that bagels are back in stock, although that is not yet the case everywhere in the country.

According to a list that users of the Facebook group update daily as they spot new locations, they can be found in at least 1,700 of the fast food chain’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants.

Facebook groups have sprung up calling for the return of bagels at McDonald’s

When DailyMail.com last checked the list in April, the group had 12,000 members who had spotted 1,200 bagel restaurants. The increase in both numbers shows how the breakfast bagel fan base is growing.

These popular dishes are once again widely available in restaurants, as local franchisees have seized the opportunity to put them back on the menu.

Customers in California, Pennsylvania, Nashville, So far, they’ve returned to Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, West Virginia, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama and New York — the bagel capital of the country.

There are four varieties, all of which contain egg and cheese. Three are with meat – bacon, sausage or steak – and one is just egg and cheese. The steak bagel adds grilled onions.

Prices vary by restaurant. The bacon and sausage bagels are sold in some stores for $4.69. The steak is more expensive at $5.39.

Jared Hefenfinger, an administrator of the Facebook group, said: ‘People in the group share their local franchisee contact information and say, ‘Hey, message or call these people.’

“I can tell you where they’ll be next based on where the group is getting members from. I sent a message to one of the franchisees in Minnesota.

“He told me they’ve had more calls in the last three weeks than they’ve had in the last three years.”

It’s unclear whether the Facebook group was the key to getting McDonald’s to bring them back, or whether it simply played a role. A likely explanation is that McDonald’s had plans to bring back bagels, and the group’s enthusiasm accelerated the process.

Fans responded enthusiastically on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

“McDonald’s bagels are back…the world is healing,” one customer tweeted.

“I’m taking my official victory lap in my 4 year war on McDonald’s. Bagels are BACK,” posted another.

Bagel fans post memes about McDonald’s bagels

Bagels were first introduced at McDonald’s in late 2019, but were axed shortly after when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 during the pandemic

McDonald’s told DailyMail.com on Friday: ‘Our fans’ love for McDonald’s breakfast is immense and we love seeing how much passion they have for some of their favourite menu items.

‘We always listen to their wishes and take their feedback into account when making menu decisions.

‘While bagel sandwiches are not available nationwide, they are available regionally and are currently available at participating McDonald’s in several markets.’

McDonald’s also announced on March 26 that it plans to sell fresh Krispy Kreme donuts nationwide starting in late 2026.