Exciting developments are on the horizon for McDonald’s enthusiasts.
In 2026, McDonald’s plans to make a significant splash with bold updates to its menu, potentially introducing a new flagship sandwich.
The Big Arch burger, a hearty double-stack creation loaded with cheese and a special sauce, is set to tantalize American taste buds. This burger, featuring a unique combination of onions prepared in two styles, has already gained a strong following overseas.
Originally winning over fans in Canada and Europe back in 2024, the Big Arch eventually secured a permanent spot on the UK menu.
Though McDonald’s has not officially announced when the burger will hit U.S. restaurants, insiders have told The Post that its American debut seems promising.
Weighing in at a hefty 14 ounces, the Big Arch dwarfs the standard burger, which is only 3.5 ounces. This indulgent sandwich boasts two 4-ounce beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions alongside raw sliced onions, lettuce, pickles, and its signature Big Arch sauce.
Those who have tried the burger described it as essentially being “two Big Macs in one.”
Back in 2024, McDonald’s CFO Ian Borden said the company was cooking up plans for “a larger satiating burger,” though no other details were given at the time.
This is reportedly McDonald’s first new permanent addition to the worldwide menu since Chicken McNuggets in 1983. The last time it happened in the US was in 2021 with the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
Last summer, the fast food chain added the Daily Double, made of two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, sliced onions, mayo and two slices of tomato, to its US menu — though it’s technically a limited-time item.
Without an official announcement from McD’s, Snackwire has predicted a March arrival, while some social media users have claimed that they were able to snag the new burger on the international menu at McD’s HQ in Chicago.
Meanwhile, a US-based McDonald’s employee reportedly shared a photo of a document, allegedly outlining the forthcoming new items, including the Big Arch, in a now-deleted Reddit post.
Fans are apparently ecstatic about the possibility of the Big Arch coming to the States.
“Best burger they ever made,” another declared on Snackwire’s Instagram post.
“The big arch needs to be a permanent menu item. It’s one of those burgers that hits the spot when you’re jonesing bad for a sublethal dose of fat and salt!” another gushed.
Diners from across the pond also shared their first-hand experience.
“Had this in Ireland and it was massive, hopefully it’s the same in the US, it was worth every penny there,” said one fan abroad.
“I had the big arch when it first dropped in Portugal,” another claimed. “Had it 3 times in the week I was there. Been hyping it up for a year and a half, can not wait to eat it again.”
Wrote one characteristically smug French customer, “The Big Arch, available at McDonald’s in France, puts the US restaurants to shame.”
Snackwire also announced that the Golden Arches will be joining in on the hot honey crazy, adding a Hot Honey Sauce, featuring a blend of sweet honey, peppery heat and vinegar.
A Hot Honey McCrispy and Hot Honey Snack Wrap are reportedly expected to be debuted at the end of January alongside the new sauce.
Meanwhile, Fox 35 reported that McDonald’s is set to release a “secret” menu, featuring customers’ creations that aren’t directly on the menu, which may include a Chicken Cheeseburger, Chicken Big Mac and an Apple Pie Mini McFlurry.
“Some of these mash-ups shouldn’t work, but they are weirdly good and need to be tried to be believed,” Ben Fox, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for McDonald’s in the UK and Ireland, said in a statement, per the outlet.
“This limited-time lineup celebrates the creativity of our customers that we see every day on social media.”
