McDonald’s appears to have gotten rid of Chicken Selects from its menus – and fans are not happy.
As one angry customer put it on Twitter: “Are McDonald’s running out of Chicken Selects? I’m SCREAMING ffs!” ” Clearly, emotions are running high.
With Maccies up and down the country desperately trying to restock their Select stores, we’ll try to alleviate some of the understandable concern. Rest assured, the situation is serious. But we will get to the bottom of the Chicken Selects crisis.
McDonald’s appears to have gotten rid of Chicken Selects from its menus (Credit: Alamy/ACORN 1)
Why Did McDonald’s Get Rid of Chicken Selects? A Look at the Demise of a Fan Favorite
I was so sad when McDonald’s took Chicken Selects off the menu in 2013 because I love McDonald’s. These chicken tenders with a special breading were always on the menu, and people loved dipping them in sauces like honey mustard and barbecue. But why did McDonald’s decide to stop selling such a well-liked item?
There were a lot of people who loved Chicken Selects, but McDonald’s decided to take them off the menu, and this article will go into a lot of detail about why they did that. It looks like a lot of things, from better business practices to changing tastes, caused everyone’s favorite chicken strips to go away.
The Origin Story of Chicken Selects
When they first came out in 2002, Chicken Selects were marketed as a high-end chicken product for adults, not kids. They were meant to be a better alternative to McDonald’s and came seasoned with things like paprika and garlic.
Chicken Selects became popular menu items that customers enjoyed either on their own or paired with sides and sauces. McDonald’s also experimented with promotions like limited-time seasoning flavors and meal combinations to drive interest in the product over the years.
At Their Peak – A Cult Favorite Menu Item
When they first came out on the McDonald’s menu, Chicken Selects gained a cult-like following. Many customers thought their crispy, peppery breading and soft white meat tasted much better than McDonald’s.
On forums and blogs, fans would rave about dipping the Selects in honey mustard or sweet and sour sauce. Photos of the products would spread across social media from delighted customers. For a time, they were considered a unique and premium menu choice that stood out from McDonald’s usual offerings.
The Tide Begins to Turn
While passion for Chicken Selects ran high among loyal devotees, the products actually experienced inconsistent levels of popularity in different regions. In some markets, they were top-sellers, while in others, consumer interest was fairly low.
Supply chain and inventory management proved difficult with such large variability in demand across locations. And enthusiasm for the Selects slowly declined over the years following their initial successful launch.
More Competitors Arrive on the Scene
During the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, McDonald’s began expanding chicken offerings with new sandwiches and variations on classic products. The McChicken sandwich gained popularity, along with limited-time crispy chicken sandwiches. Interest in McNuggets was also reinvigorated with dipping sauce promotions.
More chicken choices on the menu likely diverted some customers away from ordering Chicken Selects. And other chains like Wendy’s and Burger King offered their own versions of chicken strips and tenders to compete. McDonald’s was also making a larger push towards fish sandwiches at the time.
Menu Simplification and Operational Efficiency
By the early 2010’s, McDonald’s franchisees were feeling strained by the increasingly complex menu. Items like Chicken Selects that required special handling and procedures made kitchen operations more difficult. McDonald’s was also looking for ways to speed up its drive-thru service.
Eliminating slower and less popular choices like the Selects helped streamline kitchen workflows. Removing the Selects meant the company could focus on more high-demand items that met customers’ evolving preferences and needs.
The Quiet Disappearance of a Fan Favorite
In 2013, McDonald’s began phasing out Chicken Selects from its menus. No major announcement or fanfare preceded their disappearance. The company indicated the discontinuation was part of broader efforts to simplify operations and align with customer demand.
Devoted fans certainly noticed the absence of their beloved tenders. Some took to social media to express disappointment, longing for their return. But unlike cases like the McRib, McDonald’s did not frame the Selects as a seasonal item bound to come back someday. All signs pointed to their demise being permanent.
No Official Explanation From McDonald’s
McDonald’s has never provided an official, definitive reason for discontinuing Chicken Selects. The company gave vague explanations about “evolving menus” in response to media inquiries. But the true rationale remains elusive.
Without a transparent announcement from the company, one can only speculate on the various factors that led to this decision. It seems shifting consumer preferences, operational challenges, and performance issues all may have sealed the fate of Chicken Selects.
Could Chicken Selects Return?
Rumors have swirled for years that McDonald’s might reintroduce Chicken Selects or something similar, to the delight of fans. After all, other discontinued classics like McRibs and McPizza have made limited comebacks.
McDonald’s did briefly bring back Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017. However, those were also eventually removed from menus.
As of now, Chicken Selects show no signs of returning in their original form. But fans continue to hope McDonald’s will someday breathe new life into these cult favorite chicken tenders. Only time will tell if our Chicken Select dreams come true once more.
Why Fans Remain Obsessed Years Later
On Reddit threads and blog posts, nostalgic McDonald’s fans still pine for Chicken Selects years after their disappearance. What made this product so unforgettable and beloved?
For many, it came down to the uniquely crispy, peppery breading that delivered bursts of flavor. The tenders had a satisfying crunch on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. And they were fun to customize with dipping sauces.
Above all, Chicken Selects deliver happy memories for those who grew up enjoying this tasty treat. They represent a simpler time of enjoying fast food favorites without worries or cares. That nostalgia keeps hope alive that McDonald’s will change its mind and revive this cherished menu item once more.
The Life and Death of a Fast Food Favorite
The story of Chicken Selects reflects the ever-evolving nature of fast food menus. An item that achieves cult status can disappear just as quickly due to operational or business concerns. For better or worse, chains like McDonald’s are constantly making changes to meet efficiency goals and match customer demand.
While disappointing for devotees, the demise of Chicken Selects is understandable from McDonald’s perspective. Yet it’s hard not to feel a tinge of sadness thinking about those crispy, tasty tenders vanishing from our lives. The memories will live on, but will the Selects ever make a comeback? For now, fans can only hope and reminisce over this departed fast food favorite.
So, do McDonald’s still do Chicken Selects?
Good news – despite the disruption, there are currently no plans to permanently axe Chicken Selects from the McDonald’s menu.
As is evident from the fan response to the shortage, the dish remains an incredibly popular part of the McDonald’s UK offering.
However, despite their broad British appeal, Chicken Selects are not universally adored. Like, the item never did very well in the United States. It has been released and taken off the market several times since the late 1990s.
This should be a warning to UK McDonald’s fans. If you want to keep Selects on the menu, you’ll have to show how much you care.
Chicken Selects were surprisingly unpopular in America (Credit: Alamy/CoCo Jones)
When are McDonald’s Chicken Selects coming back?
As the Chicken Selects situation is constantly evolving, it’s not totally clear when the dish will return. However, McDonald’s has said that it’s pulling out all the stops to move things along.
In the original media statement announcing the shortage, the restaurant explained: “We are working incredibly hard to get this popular menu item back on sale in our restaurants.
“We know some customers will be disappointed to hear this news, and we would like to apologise for the short term inconvenience. ”.
This suggests that the current issue is a temporary blip, rather than anything more sinister. Even so, we’ll all be holding our breath that we don’t have too long to wait.
McNuggets are actually a bit healthier than Selects (Credit: McDonald’s)
Why McDonald’s KILLED the CHICKEN SELECTS – I’m Obsessed With This
FAQ
Why did McDonald’s remove Chicken Selects?
Another possible factor that led to the removal of Chicken Selects is the cost associated with producing and sourcing high-quality chicken strips. McDonald’s aims to maintain consistent quality across its entire menu, which includes ensuring the taste and texture of its chicken products.
Does McDonald’s still have Chicken Selects?
Long-time fans may have fond memories of the discontinued chicken item we wish the fast food chain would bring back: Chicken Selects. These crispy tenders debuted at McDonald’s in 2002 and remained a fan favorite until their removal in 2013. Per CNBC, McDonald’s reported that Chicken Selects simply did not earn a spot on the permanent menu.
Did Chicken Selects get a spot on McDonald’s’ permanent menu?
Per CNBC, McDonald’s reported that Chicken Selects simply did not earn a spot on the permanent menu. A spokesperson for the restaurant via Reuters said, “We are constantly evolving our menu and listening to our customers to meet their changing needs. “.
When did McDonald’s stop selling chicken tenders?
According to a December 2020 report by Business Insider, Chicken Selects were a huge hit among McDonald’s customers when they first showed up in 2004. In 2013, the fast-food giant made the decision to get rid of the food item before bringing back chicken tenders, rechristened as Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017.
Does McDonald’s have a shortage of Chicken Selects?
The precise correlation between the blockade and the current shortage remains unclear. However, judging by the depth of feeling on display, fans want answers quickly. Chicken Selects remain an incredibly popular part of the McDonald’s menu (Credit: Alamy/Lbecks/stockimo).
Are McDonald’s chicken selects bad for You?
While McDonald’s diet-friendly options have improved over the years, Chicken Selects are not one of them. The delicious fried morsels are actually deceptively bad for you, even ranking behind McNuggets in the McDonald’s health stakes.
Why did McDonald’s get rid of Chicken Selects?
McDonald’s discontinued Chicken Selects in the US in 2013 due to a combination of factors, including perceived low sales, higher costs, and the desire to simplify operations. They were also removed from the menu in 2020 as part of a broader menu simplification effort during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why did McDonald’s discontinue chicken strips?
… that the item was discontinued because many employees complained that it was too complicated to make and didn’t perform as well as McDonald’s had hopedApr 25, 2025.
Where did McDonald’s chicken tenders go?
McDonald’s announced Thursday that chicken strips will return to its menu after being removed five years ago. McCrispy Strips, which are all-white chicken tenders covered in golden-brown breading, will be back on menus across the country on May 5.
Does McDonald’s still do Chicken Selects?
McDonald’s crispy Chicken Selects were the fast food chain’s take on chicken tenders—and also the chicken offered in the classic Snack Wrap. They were discontinued in the United States in 2013, but have been available in the U. K. ever since.