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McDonald’s McRib will return Nov. 1 in 40th yearMcDonald’s McRib will return Nov. 1 in 40th year

Colder-season sandwich debuted in Kansas City, Kan., in 1981

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 30, 2021

1 Min Read
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McDonald’s Corp. will return the seasonal McRib sandwich to participating U.S. restaurants nationwide on Nov. 1, the company announced Thursday.

The Chicago-based burger brand said the McRib, which has grown into a social-media darling for its boneless pork patty with barbecue sauce, slivered onions and dill pickles on a homestyle bun, would be offered again for a limited time. Prices may vary by location.

The McRib was created 40 years ago, debuting as a regional item in 1981 in Kansas City, Kan.

Mike Bullington, McDonald’s senior archives manager, said in a statement that “in the 80s, the masterminds behind McDonald’s food innovation had a truly unique idea: an undeniably delicious sandwich that could be enjoyed during the colder seasons.”

Since email and social media debuted, the McRib has elicited thousands of notes and Tweets, Bullington added, as well as trackers.

Online fans created tools such as the McRib Locator map, which tracks sightings of the sandwich.

McDonald’s USA LLC, McDonald’s domestic division, has about 14,000 restaurants.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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