McDonald's menu adds wild new burger and a take on a failed classic

Sometimes ill-advised pairings occur.

Maybe a wedding planner sits two exes of one of the marriage party members at the same table, or perhaps they seat a divorced couple that does not get along right next to each other.

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You may also have a work event that puts two rivals for the same job in a breakout together. Or even worse, maybe you seat the boss’s wife next to the secretary with whom he’s having an affair.

Not every pairing is peanut butter and chocolate or bread and butter. Sometimes you inadvertently get peanut butter and tartar sauce.

That’s not usually the plan. Peanut butter and tartar sauce should be kept in very different places, but who hasn’t come close to brushing their teeth with a tube of something other than toothpaste?

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Mistakes happen, and people usually put on a brave face and push their way through it. In other cases, it’s hard to know what’s intentional and what’s an accident.

McDonald’s has a new promotional menu that some may not notice is problematic. Others will look at the grouping of items and instantly question whether they are being pranked or whether the company actually missed the symbolism. 

McDonald’s menu salutes World War II bad guys 

While Americans and the rest of the world have long forgiven Germany, Italy, and Japan for World War II, there are just some countries that should not be grouped together.

It’s not really spoken, but it’s like why even Michael Jordan can’t get away with a certain mustache. He might have the head shape for it, but not enough time has passed (and perhaps it never will) to make that look acceptable.

McDonald’s Canada’s newest menu may not intentionally be a bad look, but some may see it that way. The menu, dubbed the “International Heist Menu,” features items from Italy, Germany, and Japan.

That grouping of countries was known as the “Axis Powers” during World War II, and while that sounds like a bad ’80s WWF tag team, it’s a grouping of countries you probably want to avoid.

The menu offers the Big Rosti sandwich from Germany:

“While the origins of the hamburger are up for debate, there’s no debate on the Big Rösti – it’s zer good. Picture a beautifully beefy burger, hickory-smoked bacon, melt-in-your-mouth processed cheese, delicious cheese sauce, and the jewel in the bun: our golden ‘Rösti’ hash brown. Served on a fluffy bun topped with rolled oats, it’s time to say “Willkommen,” McDonald’s shared.

Italy has contributed McPizza Bites:

“The taste of Italy is here with McPizza Bites, the antipasto you’ve been waiting for. Made with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella cheese and rich tomato sauce, all wrapped in a delicious, toasted pizza dough — good enough to make you say bravissimo,” the fast-food giant posted.

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Japan’s contribution is the Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich.

“Kon’nichiwa, the tastiest new sando has touched down! The Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich has a breaded seasoned chicken patty, covered in a delicious, sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce, topped with shredded lettuce, mayo-style sauce, and a sesame seed bun,” according to the company.

McDonald’s often brings Canadian deals to the U.S.

It’s not uncommon for McDonald’s to bring international promotions, especially ones that get a run in Canada, to the U.S. This one may have awkwardly grouped headliners, but it does also include three other items that get lesser billing:

• Belgium’s Biscoff McFlurry
• The United Kingdom’s Garlic Mayo-style sauce 
• Australia’s sweet tangy chili dip

And while it seems odd that McDonald’s made a point of pointing out the “processed” cheese on the Rosti Burger and adding the word “style” to its Garlic Mayo sauce, these items would be popular in the U.S. 

“The International Menu Heist lineup is available for a limited time only at participating Canadian restaurants,” according to the chain.  

Canada has been a very strong market for McDonald’s. CFO Ian Borden talked about those results during the company’s first quarter earnings call.

“In Canada, where QSR industry traffic increased in the first quarter, we delivered both positive comparable sales and guest count performance, driven in part by our $1 coffee offering and our Hockey Showdown limited time promotion,” he said.

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Borden was very excited about that promotion. 

“As a Canadian, I can tell you that Canadians are extremely enthusiastic hockey fans. This passion was evident in the results, with the Hockey Showdown promotion being one of the top-performing earned media brand affinity campaigns with over 50 million impressions and driving a lift to the overall sandwich category,” he added.