This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
McDonald's Corp. is going bigger with all-day breakfast.
In a bid to maintain the hype — and the sales gains —- the chain is planning to add McGriddles and more breakfast sandwiches to its all-hours menu.
The change will take place across the U.S. in September, almost a year after all-day breakfast was first introduced, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company said Wednesday.
All-day breakfast has been a key piece of Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook's effort to revive the struggling fast-food giant.
The strategy helped McDonald's global same-store sales rise 6.2 percent in the first quarter, the biggest gain in four years. The chain has also boosted sales with value meals, and its bottom line has gotten a lift from lower commodity costs.
Right now, the full-day breakfast menu is limited, with some locations selling only English muffin-based sandwiches and others only selling biscuit ones.
With the expansion, biscuit and McMuffin options will be available at all U.S. locations, along with three varieties of McGriddles — a sandwich that uses maple-flavored pancakes as buns.
McDonald's, which is scheduled to report third-quarter results on July 26, is facing a fiercely competitive domestic industry.
Wendy's Co. has been advertising a four-items-for-$4 deal, while Burger King is introducing new fare, including fried Mac 'n Cheetos sticks and hot dogs.