MacdoMenu USA · Menu and promotion updates
McDonald’s USA Menu News & Updates (2026)
A dated guide to U.S. McDonald’s menu launches, seasonal items, promotions, and company updates. Each report separates an announced release from what a restaurant may still have in stock.
Holiday drinks arrive in November
The limited-time lineup includes Frosted Cranberry Splash with Sprite, Red Bull Frosted Cranberry Energizer, and Cookie Butter Frappé, Latte and Iced Coffee. Participating U.S. restaurants are scheduled to begin serving them November 3; local availability can vary.
Pokémon returns to the Happy Meal
The November 10 promotion features 15 toy designs and 15 trading cards to collect. A QR code on the box opens a digital game. Toys, cards and availability depend on participating restaurants and remaining stock.
- Disney Villains Boo Buckets began their limited-time U.S. run on October 20. Five designs are featured; local stock and prices vary.
- The MONOPOLY promotion is underway. Official terms list game-piece distribution through November 1, local time, while supplies last.
- The current McValue page lists selected Under $3 items, a $4 Breakfast Meal Deal, a $5 McChicken Meal Deal, and a $6 McDouble Meal Deal. Price and participation vary; McDelivery is excluded.
Latest U.S. menu and promotion news
Disney Villains Boo Buckets began their Halloween run
Disney Villains Boo Buckets launched at participating U.S. restaurants on October 20. The five collectible designs feature Jafar, Ursula, Scar, Cruella, and Maleficent, with themed lids and stickers. This is a limited-time Happy Meal promotion while supplies last; a particular design is not guaranteed at every restaurant.
There is no single nationwide bucket price or confirmed common end date in the announcement. Check the local menu before visiting, and use our Happy Meal guide to compare meal choices and prices.
MONOPOLY returned with app-based play
McDonald’s announced its U.S. MONOPOLY promotion on September 22, with eligible game-piece distribution beginning October 6. Official terms set the restaurant distribution deadline at 11:59 p.m. local time on November 1, while supplies last. Registration, eligibility, and prize-claim deadlines may differ from the restaurant distribution period.
The rules also describe a no-purchase entry method and say a purchase does not improve the chance of winning. Read the full rules before taking part; this promotion is not a fixed-price menu offer.
A lawsuit challenges a pricing-recommendation tool
The Associated Press reported that a federal lawsuit filed in Illinois alleges McDonald’s pricing tool shares nonpublic sales information among franchisees and may violate antitrust law. These are allegations described in that report, not a court finding. This archive entry does not state a later case outcome.
McDonald’s says its tool does not set menu prices and that restaurant owners determine their own prices. The company’s U.S. terms also warn that delivery menu prices may be higher than restaurant prices. The legal dispute does not establish a single price for local orders.
SpongeBob x One Piece Happy Meal toys launched
McDonald’s announced 15 collectible toys combining SpongeBob SquarePants characters with the One Piece crew. The promotion began September 15 at participating U.S. restaurants for a limited time. The announcement confirms the launch, not current stock or a specific toy at every location.
Spicy Chicken McNuggets returned
McDonald’s said Spicy Chicken McNuggets would return to participating U.S. restaurants for a limited time, with a tempura coating seasoned with aged cayenne and chili peppers. The announcement did not set one nationwide end date; check the restaurant menu for current availability.
Hello Kitty & Friends met Godzilla in a Happy Meal collaboration
The U.S. Menu Spotter announced a Happy Meal collaboration pairing Sanrio characters with Godzilla monsters. McDonald’s listed eight collectible toy designs and a limited-time run at participating restaurants. The release date does not guarantee a specific toy or current stock.
Caramel Apple Pie drinks joined the fall lineup
The seasonal McCafé lineup included Caramel Apple Pie Frappés, hot and iced lattes, and iced coffee at participating restaurants. The announcement did not give one national price or promise a common end date. Seasonal stock may run out locally.
Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer joined the drink menu
McDonald’s announced the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer for participating U.S. restaurants starting August 17. The drink combines Red Bull with blue raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragon fruit, with a Red Bull Zero option; participating restaurants may also sell an 8.4-ounce can. The same announcement discussed additional crafted soda flavors. Check the local menu for current options and prices.
Caesar Snack Wrap and Bacon Caesar McCrispy were announced
McDonald’s announced Caesar Sauce for participating U.S. restaurants, including a Caesar Snack Wrap, Bacon Caesar McCrispy, and dip cups. The company advertised the Snack Wrap at $2.99 at launch. That was an announcement price, not a promise of today’s price or availability. McDonald’s also said its McCrispy Strips were getting a panko coating.
Honey Brown Butter Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit arrived
McDonald’s announced the breakfast sandwich for July 21 at participating U.S. restaurants. It pairs bacon, egg, and cheese with a biscuit and honey brown butter. The announcement did not publish a national price; check the selected restaurant’s breakfast menu.
BT21 Happy Meal featured ten collectible toys
The BT21 Happy Meal promotion launched at participating U.S. restaurants with ten character toys, according to McDonald’s. The announcement also pointed customers to digital activities tied to the Happy Meal. Check locally for any remaining toys.
Fried Apple Pie returned for summer
McDonald’s announced the Fried Apple Pie for participating U.S. restaurants beginning June 23 for a limited time. The company described the pie as made with American-grown apples in a fried crust. The announcement did not give one national price or a fixed end date.
FIFA World Cup 26 meals and collectibles launched
McDonald’s announced a U.S. World Cup Meal starting June 4, with a choice of Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and a limited-edition Big Mac Sauce package. The FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal began June 9 with one of 23 Squishmallows plush toys. Both were limited-time offers at participating restaurants; check locally before assuming they remain available.
McDonald’s added Under $3 and $4 breakfast options to McValue
The company announced an expanded McValue menu scheduled to begin April 21 at participating restaurants. It added selected Under $3 items and a $4 Breakfast Meal Deal alongside the $5 McChicken and $6 McDouble Meal Deals. These are advertised offer prices, not guaranteed prices at every restaurant; the national offers exclude McDelivery.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Happy Meal launched
McDonald’s announced 12 collectible character toys and digital activities for the Happy Meal, available at participating U.S. restaurants for a limited time starting March 26. The film tie-in had a stated theatrical release of April 1. Current toy stock varies by restaurant.
McDAAG Happy Meal included mini Crocs keychains
The McDonald’s All American Games Happy Meal promotion included one of six mini Crocs keychain toys, with Jibbitz-style charms and a QR-linked digital game. It was announced as a limited-time release at participating restaurants; current availability is not guaranteed.
Big Arch Burger launched at participating restaurants
The Big Arch launch featured two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar, crispy and slivered onions, lettuce, pickles, a sesame-and-poppy-seed bun, and Big Arch Sauce. McDonald’s described it as a limited-time U.S. item. Check the local menu to see whether it is still offered.
Shamrock Shake and OREO Shamrock McFlurry returned
McDonald’s announced the seasonal mint shake and OREO Shamrock McFlurry at participating restaurants. This was a limited-time launch; current availability is not guaranteed by the original release date.
Hot Honey menu items debuted
The Hot Honey launch included breakfast and chicken items at participating restaurants. McDonald’s described the sauce as a sweet-and-spicy addition. The initial launch does not establish current local availability or price.
Company updates
McDonald’s introduced its Make It Golden commitment
McDonald’s described Make It Golden as a multi-year effort focused on food quality and hospitality. The company said its initial work includes restaurant-based training for field teams and franchisees, with corporate employees taking part in local restaurant activations. This is a company operations update, not a menu launch or a new price offer.
McDonald’s said its pricing tool does not set menu prices
In a company statement, McDonald’s said its pricing recommendation tool does not set or change menu prices, use customer-level willingness-to-pay pricing, or change prices in real time. It said franchisees independently decide what prices to charge. For customers comparing locations, the restaurant’s current menu remains the source for its displayed price.
Pickle Boost was offered during Chicago Marathon weekend
McDonald’s announced a Chicago-only Pickle Boost sampling event for October 9–11, timed to the marathon weekend. The company said runners and spectators could receive two bottles at selected locations while supplies lasted. The event has ended; Pickle Boost was a local promotion, not a nationwide menu item.
McDonald’s outlined its NEXT strategy targets
The company announced growth and productivity goals under its NEXT strategy, including stated ambitions for chicken and beverage share through 2030. These are company targets, not completed results or a promise of an immediate menu change.
Second-quarter results and a U.S. leadership change
McDonald’s reported second-quarter 2026 comparable sales growth of 1.3% globally and 0.8% in the U.S. The company also announced Skye Anderson as President of McDonald’s USA, effective August 4. These company figures do not predict local menu prices or restaurant availability.
McValue offers listed by McDonald’s
Checked October 21, 2026. McDonald’s U.S. lists these national offer types. The exact items, local price, and participation can vary, and the national offer page excludes McDelivery.
| Offer | Advertised price | What it includes or means |
|---|---|---|
| Selected Under $3 items | Under $3 | Selected breakfast, lunch, and dinner items at participating restaurants |
| Breakfast Meal Deal | $4 | Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit, Hash Browns, and a small Premium Roast Coffee |
| McChicken Meal Deal | $5 | McChicken, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, small Fries, and a small soft drink |
| McDouble Meal Deal | $6 | McDouble, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, small Fries, and a small soft drink |
Use the restaurant selected in the app to confirm its current offer, participating items, and checkout total. Delivery item prices and fees may differ from pickup.
McDonald’s news FAQs
What is the newest McDonald’s news in the U.S.?
As of this October 21 update, the newest U.S. menu launch covered here is the Disney Villains Boo Buckets promotion that began October 20. MONOPOLY is also underway. The dates and participation conditions matter; check the selected restaurant for current stock.
Are McDonald’s menu prices the same everywhere?
No. McDonald’s U.S. terms say restaurants set their own prices. Prices can also differ by ordering method, and delivery may cost more than pickup. Confirm the selected restaurant’s menu before ordering.
Does a launch announcement mean an item is available today?
No. Limited-time items are offered at participating restaurants while supplies last. Stock, participation, and end dates can vary; check the app or local menu before making a trip.
MacdoMenu USA is an independent menu reference and is not affiliated with McDonald’s Corporation. Product names and trademarks belong to their owners.