By Nicole Di Tomasso
Embodied by the iconic golden arches, McDonald’s touched down in Canada in 1967, marking the beginning of a fast-food revolution that would resonate across the country. From its humble beginnings in Richmond, B.C., McDonald’s Canada has expanded exponentially, now boasting more than 1,400 restaurants and employing nearly 100,000 people from coast to coast. In the last year, the company generated $7.1 billion up from $6.5 billion in 2022, earning itself the number-2 spot in this year’s Top 60 Report.
Tantalizing TasteBuds
Beyond its core offerings, McDonald’s Canada frequently introduces new menu items and limited-time offers.
Most recently, the company introduced its first ever Remix Menu for the month of April, debuting twists on classic menu items inspired by popular customer hacks. The Remix Menu featured the Chicken Cheeseburger, Surf ‘N Turf Burger, Sweet Chili Junior Chicken and Apple Pie McFlurry.
McDonald’s Canada also launched its new McCafé Cold Brew at select restaurants across the country in five varieties, including Cold Brew (unsweetened), French Vanilla Cream Cold Brew, Caramel Cream Cold Brew, Sweetened Cold Brew with cream and Cold Brew with sugar-free syrup and cream, and is served in a newly re-designed cup.
“We take pride in our legacy of delivering consistently delicious coffee experiences, making each visit to our restaurant unforgettable for our guests,” says Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Canada, in a release. “Earlier this year, we introduced a whole new look and feel to the McCafé packaging line up and are thrilled to now announce the next phase in the evolution of the McCafé brand with the introduction of Cold Brew.”
Last year, the company introduced its new Fruit Splash beverages in three flavours: Lemon, Strawberry Passionfruit and Peach Mango, as well as its new Kiwi Pineapple Banana McCafé Real Fruit Smoothie flavour.
Choosing Sustainability
In May, McDonald’s Canada started rolling out its McFlurry paper cups with a new innovative lid. The new four-flap lid requires no changes to the McFlurry preparation as the flaps fold down to protect the dessert inside. This minor yet impactful change will eliminate approximately 75 metric tonnes of single-use plastics from the Canadian system. Restaurants across the country will be transitioned to the new cup by fall 2024.
Last year, the company introduced a re-usable McFlurry mixing spindle, replacing the traditional plastic spindle/spoon guests would receive with a wooden spoon, further reducing plastic waste. These efforts align with McDonald’s global goal to source 100 per cent of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified sources by the end of 2025, according to a release.
McDonald’s Canada also introduced a pilot testing of the collection of specified fibre food and plastic packaging for potential recycling. The pilot, available in selected restaurants in Alberta and Quebec, will introduce new recycling bins in restaurants to help guests sort their used packaging.
“We’re committed to actively contributing to the well-being of the communities we operate in,” says Gemma Hinksman, senior director, Canada Impact Team at McDonald’s. “This involves implementing both substantial and incremental changes — [such as] these pilots — to help make meaningful progress towards achieving our shared environmental commitments.”
Additionally, McDonald’s Canada joined the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP), a multi-stakeholder collective spearheading Canada’s response to the escalating plastic crisis. “Introducing the recycling pilot in selected restaurants marks a significant milestone in testing new procedures designed to help support the recycling of guest packaging,” says Hinksman in a release. “This journey isn’t just about what happens within our space; we’re contributing valuable insights that resonate across the country.”
Global growth
McDonald’s expects to open nearly 10,000 restaurants over the next four years. The company aims to have 50,000 restaurants worldwide by the end of 2027, with plans to open 900 new stores in the U.S. and 1,900 in international markets with company operated and franchised restaurants, such as Canada, Germany, the U.K. and Australia.
With a focus on sustainability, technology and menu diversity, McDonald’s Canada is poised to continue its legacy as a beloved fast-food chain in the Canadian culinary landscape for generations to come.
