McDonald's reportedly adding international favorites to US menus

Dive Brief:

McDonald's plans to add four "Worldwide Favorites" to its U.S. menu in early June, according to an internal document obtained by Business Insider. McDonald's has not commented on the news.
The new menu items will be the Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger from Spain; the Stroopwafel McFlurry, which is vanilla soft-serve with caramel waffle cookies, from the Netherlands; the Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich from Canada and Cheese Bacon Fries from Australia.
The Grand McExtreme, Stroopwafel McFlurry, BBQ McShaker Fries from Malaysia and the McSpicy Chicken from Hong Kong were previously tested in South Florida last year, but the latter two items don't appear to be part of the nationwide expansion.

Dive Insight:

McDonald's has been making a lot of changes to its U.S. menu of late, phasing out its Signature Crafted Recipe menu in favor of a new Quarter Pounder line-up and trimming down its late-night menu. These two decisions run in line with the company's overall strategy to try and improve efficiencies and drive-thru times.

Adding new menu items seems a bit counterintuitive at first glance, but could provide an additional way to attract new customers and build loyalty with existing ones. The meals already exist in McDonald's international product line, so it likely won't be a heavy lift to shift its supply chain and bring the items to the U.S. The fast food giant also sells food from around the world at its flagship restaurant in Chicago. Expanding these items to other locations could prove appealing to a growing millennial interest in global flavors.

This isn't the first time McDonald's has revamped its menu, and won't be the last. Over the last three years, it started using fresh beef in its Quarter Pounders, launched all-day breakfast and added its soon-to-be defunct premium items.

Ongoing menu innovations are becoming the new normal in the QSR industry as well, especially since these menu options appeal to emerging flavors and popular trends. Taco Bell launched a value menu in December and is rolling out a vegetarian menu. Several QSR chains, including White Castle, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Qdoba and Del Taco, have been adding plant-based menu options to appeal to the growing popularity of vegan items as well.