McDonald's is looking to expand its chicken offerings, including potentially bringing back grilled chicken sandwiches — a menu item the fast-food giant discontinued in 2020.At a September investor meeting, McDonald's executives discussed plans to expand the chain's chicken lineup, including grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps, as demand for protein options grows, according to Restaurant Dive.The renewed interest comes years after McDonald's pulled its grilled chicken sandwich from U.S.menus, raising questions about why the healthier offering disappeared in the first place.MCDONALD'S EXECUTIVE REVEALS SIMPLE MENU HACKS TO HELP CUSTOMERS PACK MORE PROTEIN INTO MEALSChef Mike Haracz, who served as McDonald's manager of culinary innovation from 2015 to 2019, told Fox News Digital why the grilled chicken sandwich ultimately failed to make the cut — and whether it could find its way back to the menu.The reason was simple: Not enough customers were ordering it, Haracz said.The grilled chicken sandwich departed McDonald's in 2020 because not enough customers were ordering it, the former manager of culinary innovation told Fox News Digital.
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)"For many of the menu items at McDonald's, and this is true for any corporate chain restaurant, there is a certain sales threshold that means it will be profitable, and it makes sense to have in the restaurant," Haracz said."Once [those] sales dips below a certain level, it does not make financial sense to keep it on the menu, as you will end up throwing away product."In 1993, McDonald's introduced a grilled chicken sandwich as a healthier menu offering, but it did not stand the test of time.MCDONALD'S BRINGS BACK POPULAR ITEM FOR SHORT TIME AS ONE STATE GETS A TREATThe sandwich consisted of a marinated skinless chicken breast filet, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, Monterey Jack cheese and an herb sauce, all piled on a bun, according to a 1993 press release about the menu item.McDonald's unveiled a more n...