More McDonald’s customers will soon have access to garlic fries.
The Oak Brook, Ill.-based burger giant said Thursday that it is expanding the availability of its Gilroy Garlic Fries, in test in San Francisco, to the entire Bay Area — 240 locations in all — starting July 27.
The expansion comes less than three months after the chain started testing the fries at four locations. The fries are flavored with a mix of garlic from Gilroy, Calif., which is 80 miles south of San Francisco, along with olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley and salt.
“McDonald’s has a longstanding history of creativity and innovation,” said Nick Vergis, co-op president at McDonald’s in the San Francisco Bay Area. “McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries is a unique, regional offering that is tailored to Bay Area tastes. The innovation of this new menu item is due in large part to our local franchisees and their commitment to providing food our customers want.”
The test was successful. Reports in May noted that the locations serving the fries were running out of the product.
The test expansion comes as McDonald’s works to improve its quality perception, while also pushing items unique to specific markets. McDonald’s has created a website to tell customers where its potatoes, fish and apples come from. It has also served lobster rolls in New England.
McDonald’s is touting the fries, as well as the supplier of the garlic used in the product. Gilroy is nicknamed “The Garlic Capital of the World.” McDonald’s says the garlic comes from the Christopher Ranch in Gilroy, the largest garlic production operation in the U.S.
The product is also an expansion of the chain’s popular and iconic fries. McDonald’s has also tested Shakin’ Flavor seasoned fries in some locations.
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