Table of Contents
The Annual Tradition Lives On
Prepare your taste buds, because the much-anticipated return of the McRib is just around the corner. McDonald’s has announced that the mouthwatering sandwich will be gracing participating restaurant menus once again starting on October 31st. Some lucky individuals have even stumbled upon early sightings of the iconic McRib at select locations, bringing them pure joy. While this news may seem ordinary, as the McRib returns annually, this year’s announcement comes with an intriguing twist: it will mark the beginning of the McRib’s “farewell tour.”
The Final Goodbye?
We reached out to McDonald’s for confirmation, and it appears that this will indeed be the McRib’s last hurrah. According to a statement from the company, “After three consecutive years as the star of our nationwide menu, this fall will be the McRib’s Farewell Tour.” To commemorate the occasion, limited-edition throwback McRib merchandise will be available for purchase, allowing devoted fans to continue celebrating their favorite sandwich even after it disappears from the menu.
However, McDonald’s response seemed somewhat vague. While they speak of the McRib’s “farewell” and its imminent departure, they stop short of explicitly stating that it will be discontinued. When pressed for clarification, the company remained coy, stating, “We can’t say for certain what the future holds. But for now, fans should enjoy the McRib while they can because it won’t be returning nationwide anytime soon.”
The key lies in the word “nationwide.” This statement doesn’t definitively mean that the McRib is bidding farewell forever. It simply suggests that not everyone will have access to it during its next appearance.
Decoding the McRib Farewell Tour
McDonald’s has employed this exact marketing tactic before, using the term “McRib Farewell Tour.” It occurred in 2005 as reported by QSR Magazine, and in 2006, McDonald’s introduced a sequel promotion called the McRib Farewell Tour II. Yet, the sandwich reemerged on menus in 2007. Since then, the McRib has appeared on and off the menu with some regularity. However, it has only received a nationwide release once since 2012, which took place in 2020.
So, it’s not that the McRib is truly disappearing. Many of us can expect its return next year, just as we always have. However, it will revert to its previous pattern of being available in select markets rather than all across the United States. As a resident of Chicago, McDonald’s hometown and a major market, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the McRib regularly for decades, even when it wasn’t available in other parts of the country.
From my perspective, the McRib’s 2022 Farewell Tour is simply a clever marketing ploy. For most of us, there’s no need to fret. However, I understand that for some regions, the urge to savor a McRib while you still can might be overwhelming. McDonald’s has yet to disclose which markets will have the pleasure of welcoming back the McRib next year and which will not. Perhaps it will be up to each individual franchise location to decide. In any case, fret not, because here’s a valuable tip: making a fantastic McRib at home is easier than you might think.
So, prepare your taste buds for the McRib’s grand return this year. Join the farewell tour and indulge in the magic that is the McRib. And remember, it’s not goodbye forever; it’s just a temporary farewell until we meet again. To learn more about the McRib and other intriguing topics, visit 5 WS – your source for fascinating insights.
