McDonald’s Brings Back Chicken Breakfast Sandwiches, But They're Super Limited
McDonald’s is clucking into the past with the return of its chicken breakfast sandwiches, targeting budget-conscious eaters and nostalgic fans alike as it navigates an economic slowdown.
Here's the TL;DR...
Chicken breakfast sandwiches return to McDonald’s in Michigan through July 21, 2025, priced at $2.50.
The sandwiches follow 2024 trials in Florida, Kansas, and Canada amid a five-year rise in poultry menu demand.
McDonald’s is betting on nostalgia and affordability to counteract a 1.9% U.S. same-store sales decline.
The Return: Chicken Sandwiches Hit Michigan
McDonald’s is bringing back chicken breakfast sandwiches, now available at select Michigan locations from June 28 through July 21, 2025. As reported by TheStreet, the sandwiches are priced at $2.50 each and feature a crispy chicken patty. While full topping details remain under wraps, early feedback and local press highlight strong consumer interest.
Michigan franchise owner Mike Rodewald noted, “Customers told us they wanted more chicken, more often—especially at breakfast.” The move aligns with the recent nationwide launch of McCrispy Strips in May 2025, but availability may vary based on supply.
The History: From Egg McMuffin to Chicken
McDonald’s breakfast history began in the 1970s with the Egg McMuffin, introduced in 1975 by franchisee Herb Peterson. The menu expanded with items like the Sausage McMuffin, but poultry didn’t become a regular breakfast player until recently.
Chicken made a comeback in 2021 with the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and again in May 2025 with the McCrispy Strips. Earlier experiments with chicken breakfast sandwiches in the 2000s fizzled due to weak demand. Their 2025 return rides a five-year trend of increased poultry popularity, reflecting McDonald’s legacy of adapting its breakfast lineup.
The Trial Runs: Testing the Waters
Before this latest launch, chicken breakfast sandwiches were tested in 2024 across select markets in Florida, Kansas, and Canada. Feedback was positive, with strong local demand driving McDonald’s to try a broader rollout in Michigan.
Supply for the sandwiches remains limited, reflecting a cautious distribution strategy—a pattern McDonald’s has followed before. The Egg McMuffin, too, began as a regional test before becoming a nationwide staple. This measured approach suggests McDonald’s is gauging whether chicken can claim a permanent seat at the breakfast table.
Nostalgia and Economic Woes: A Strategic Pivot
McDonald’s isn’t just serving sandwiches—it’s serving sentiment. The chicken breakfast revival taps into nostalgia for discontinued favorites, much like the return of Boo Buckets in 2024 and the occasional reappearance of the McRib.
But the timing also speaks to economic necessity. The company’s Q1 2025 report showed a 1.9% dip in U.S. same-store sales, attributed to inflation and rising labor costs. Offering a $2.50 breakfast option—half the price of the average combo—aims to win over cost-conscious customers. The move also responds to increasing competition from chicken-focused rivals like Chick-fil-A.
Why It Matters: A Feathered Future Amid Challenges
This breakfast reboot is more than just a menu update—it’s a strategic adaptation. The five-year trend in poultry popularity, the sandwich’s low price point, and the nostalgia-driven marketing all indicate McDonald’s is positioning itself for resilience.
If Michigan sales are strong, a national rollout is likely. The chicken breakfast sandwich joins the broader narrative of McDonald’s innovation under pressure, just as the Egg McMuffin once did during the chain’s 1970s evolution.
As June 29, 2025, the sandwich’s future is still being fried to order—but early signs suggest McDonald’s may have cooked up a winner.
Sources:
TheStreet, “McDonald’s Brings Back Chicken Breakfast Sandwiches,” June 28, 2025
McDonald’s, “Breakfast Menu History,” 2025
Fast Food Menu Prices, “McDonald’s Breakfast Menu Evolution,” June 2025
Taste of Home, “McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets Are Returning for 2024,” October 7, 2024
McDonald’s, “2025 First Quarter Financial Report,” March 2025
X, #McDonaldsChicken, June 29, 2025
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 29, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.