McDonald’s has brought bagels back to the breakfast menu.
The fan favorites aren’t available nationwide yet, but they are in at least 1,200 restaurants — and could return to all 14,300 U.S. outlets later this year.
Bagels were first introduced at McDonald’s in late 2019, but were cut shortly afterwards when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 amid the pandemic.
Since then, fans on Twitter, Reddit and Facebook have been calling for them to return. They’re so popular that a Facebook group with 13,000 members has sprung up called Where’s my McDonald’s Bagel?
Customers in California, Pennsylvania, Nashville, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, West Virginia, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama and New York – the bagel capital of the country – have seen them return so far.
McDonald’s is bringing back breakfast bagels in four varieties, including the sausage variety pictured here
Facebook groups have sprung up calling for the return of bagels at McDonald’s
Bagel fans post memes about McDonald’s bagels
There are four varieties, all of which contain eggs and cheese. Three are with meat – bacon, sausage or steak – and one with just eggs and cheese. The steak bagel adds grilled onions.
Prices vary between restaurants. The bacon and sausage bagels sell for $4.69 in some stores. The steak is more expensive at $5.39.
Jared Hefenfinger, an administrator of the Facebook group, shared Inc.com: ‘People in the group share the contact information of their local franchisees and say, ‘Hey, message or call these people.’
“I can kind of tell you where they’ll be next based on where the group gets members from. I messaged one of the franchisees in Minnesota.
“He told me they’ve had more calls in the last three weeks than in the last three years.”
It’s not clear if the Facebook group was the key to bringing McDonald’s back, or if it simply played a role. A likely explanation is that McDonald’s had plans to bring back bagelsl and the group’s enthusiasm led to this being accelerated.
Fans responded with joy on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
“McDonald’s bagels are back…healing the world,” one customer tweeted.
“I’m taking my official victory lap in my four-year war against McDonald’s. Bagels are BACK,” another posted.
Bagels were first introduced at McDonald’s in late 2019, but were cut shortly afterwards when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 amid the pandemic
McDonald’s said: “Our fans’ love for McDonald’s breakfast runs deep, and we love seeing the passion they have for some of their favorite menu items.
‘We always listen to their wishes and take their feedback into account when making menu decisions.
“While bagel sandwiches are not available nationally, they are a regional offering and 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 by the end of 2026.