# McDonald's Big Mac line-up changes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544 "2017-01-19T16:26:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/1 "2017-01-19T16:26:01Z")
First, if you want to dump on McDonald’s in general, that’s fine. But their “billions served” metric demonstrates that for every one of you that wouldn’t be caught at gunpoint ordering a Big Mac, there are thousands that do. I won’t stress about it. Main point: [McDonalds has evidently decided “Big Mac” needs to be an ensemble of burgers,](http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-releases-grand-mac-and-mac-jr-2017-1) rather than just the one. The original Big Mac is made from two 1/10-pound “all beef patties” etc. (Stupid Big Mac jingle). The “Grand Mac” is structurally like a Big Mac, but made with two 1/4-pound patties. (Same three-layer bun, for instance, and the same toppings.) The “Jr. Mac” is, nominally, a smaller Big Mac, in that it’s a single patty in a normal two-part bun, but with Big Mac toppings. I say “nominally” because it’s not really smaller than a Big Mac. It uses a single quarter-pound patty, which means it’s 25% more beef than an original Big Mac! Kind of gives lie to the name “Jr.”, IMHO. 😕 Stupid McDonald’s marketing. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/2 "2017-01-19T16:35:26Z")
I think the photographer in that article (Hollis Johnson) must be working for McDonalds. There’s no way Big Macs have EVER looked that good. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/3 "2017-01-19T16:35:36Z")
What are they called in France? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/4 "2017-01-19T16:38:14Z")
Funny, I just had a Big Mac earlier this week for the first time in decades. I just got an out-of-the-blue hankering for one. It was just as disappointing as the last time I’d had one. Tiny patties. Too much bread. Adjusting the meat-to-bun ratio is probably a good thing, but only if it’s meat _up_. Or I’ll just get a Double at Wendy’s like I usually do. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/5 "2017-01-19T16:40:22Z")
The Grand looks like it’s essentially a Double Quarter Pounder with more bread and Big Mac fixin’s. I’d try it. > [@DCnDC](#): > > Or I’ll just get a Double at Wendy’s like I usually do. Could just get a double cheeseburger. Part of the Big Mac’s point is the center bread. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/6 "2017-01-19T16:44:48Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Stupid McDonald’s marketing. :mad: Actually, it’s brilliant marketing. McDonalds is merely using their existing hamburger line-up and just rearranging the deck chairs. You want fries with that? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/7 "2017-01-19T16:49:37Z")
The menu at McDonalds is already bloated and this isn’t helping. They might note that their up-and-coming competitors, like In-N-Out, have very limited menus. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/8 "2017-01-19T16:51:12Z")
Yeah, this looks similar to Burger King’s Whopper line up. Similar burger but different sizes or configurations. Branding. I do like the occasional Big Mac though I think the last time I had one was at least 5 years ago. The Mac Jr seems like a good idea to me because it eliminates that redundant middle bun. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/9 "2017-01-19T17:03:57Z")
There was one of the McDonald’s secret menu posts that showed you how to turn one of their regular burgers into a mini Big Mac so this just seems to be steering into the skid. I hate mayo but for some reason like the Big Mac sauce so I’m okay with this. Also I remember the news story when this was a test market item so I guess it did well enough to go wide. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/10 "2017-01-19T17:09:51Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What are they called in France? Gros Mac. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/11 "2017-01-19T17:21:40Z")
I do really like the new self-service stations at new and renovated McDonald’s locations. Sends your order directly to the front counter runner who just has to pick it, toss it in a bag, and hand it to you. No more dealing with morons at the register who always seem like it’s their first day (granted, it probably is). I’ve been waiting for this for years. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/12 "2017-01-19T17:35:25Z")
A LOT of food is shrinking in size - that is a form of price increase. Some people like the prices staying in the same ballpark. Others get ticked that there is less or a different size. So this would satisfy everyone. You could pay the same (I assume this will come with a price increase and that is why they are doing it?) and get a smaller burger. Or pay more and get the same size burger. Or maybe pay a fortune and get a big burger. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/13 "2017-01-19T17:42:19Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What are they called in France? le Big Mac. You know what they call a quarter pounder? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/14 "2017-01-19T17:52:33Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Gros Mac. > > 🙂 I’d advocate for a “like” button just based on this post alone. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/15 "2017-01-19T17:58:03Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > The original Big Mac is made from two 1/10-pound “all beef patties” etc. (Stupid Big Mac jingle). > > The “Grand Mac” is structurally like a Big Mac, but made with two 1/4-pound patties. (Same three-layer bun, for instance, and the same toppings.) > > The “Jr. Mac” is, nominally, a smaller Big Mac, in that it’s a single patty in a normal two-part bun, but with Big Mac toppings. > > I say “nominally” because it’s not really smaller than a Big Mac. It uses a single quarter-pound patty, which means it’s 25% more beef than an original Big Mac! Kind of gives lie to the name “Jr.”, IMHO. 😕 > > Stupid McDonald’s marketing. :mad: The new Macs are made with 1/6 LB patties, not 1/4. So the Mac Jr. is less than the Big Mac. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/16 "2017-01-19T17:58:06Z")
Off to Cafe Society ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/17 "2017-01-19T17:59:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What are they called in France? > [@Cardigan](#): > > le Big Mac. You know what they call a quarter pounder? 😛 What do they call a Whopper? ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/18 "2017-01-19T18:10:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The menu at McDonalds is already bloated and this isn’t helping. They might note that their up-and-coming competitors, like In-N-Out, have very limited menus. “Up-and-coming”? In-N-Out was founded in 1948. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/19 "2017-01-19T18:29:30Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > The menu at McDonalds is already bloated and this isn’t helping. They might note that their up-and-coming competitors, like In-N-Out, have very limited menus. > > “Up-and-coming”? In-N-Out was founded in 1948. Sure, but even forty years ago they only had eighteen restaurants. They have 313 now. And my point is that there are now _so_ many competitors to McDonalds, including Habit Burger, Five Guys, Whataburger, etc., as well as non-burger options that are competing with McDonalds. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544/20 "2017-01-19T18:38:44Z")
When I worked at McDonald’s back in the 1980s, we made all sorts of off-menu items for employees, including triple cheeseburgers and Big Macs made using quarter-pounder patties. Kind of funny that both of these have since showed up on the official menu. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-big-mac-line-up-changes/777544.md?page=2)