McDonald's, who stated they've been struggling to juggle a variety of new menu items, announced the McRib has been put on the chopping block and will not be available nationally this year.
According to the Associated Press, the largest fast food chain said it's leaving the new product to local franchise groups to decide whether to offer the pork sandwich. During the past three years, McDonald's has placed the McRib on the national menu as a way to boost sales.
Tyler Lichtenberger, a McDonald's spokeswoman, told the AP the company had "other national priorities" to focus on such as their fairly new Mighty Wings. Lichtenberger said franchises that have been selling the McRib, which comes with pickles, onions and barbecue sauce, have had enough of the product.
There have been no reports on how many regions will continue offering the McRib, which is fueled by its patty, shaped to look as though there are bones inside.
McDonald's received slight backlash after a picture of an uncooked McRib went viral on the internet, causing fans of the product to be divided on whether it would ruin their appetite.
"One reason our customers love the McRib is its fun and wonderful shape," a McDonald's spokesman told The Huffington Post in an e-mail. "Just like a burger patty is formed to be round and flat, we form the iconic McRib in the shape of traditional ribs. We then flash freeze the patty to seal in flavor and freshness, just like you freeze meat in your own freezer, before going to our restaurants."
In its latest quarter, McDonald's said sales edged up just 0.7 percent at U.S. restaurants open at least a year.
"The company has been struggling to boost sales since late last year, when a key monthly sales figure fell for the first time in nearly a decade," the AP reported.
