Monthly Archives: October 2020

2020 US McRib release has been delayed

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Update (October 30, 2020) : McRib to return nationwide for a limited time in United States starting December 2, 2020. More details found in Business Insider

Earlier details :

Earlier we had reported that the US McRib release was going to be late October into early November. This was based on information gathered from individual stores and also information shared from fans that have access to some of these details. Unfortunately, our latest information is suggesting that the 2020 year of bad news has struck again. Specifically in this case, the 2020 US McRib release has been delayed.

What we know currently is there are stores that have already received the McRib boxes used to serve the sandwich. These same locations have not yet received the McRib product components themselves. Some locations we spoke with indicated they know the McRib is scheduled to return, however they could only say they were expecting it sometime yet this year. Another location indicated that their store calendar still has a meeting slated for this week to cover the McRib release. This calendar reference may be a relic of a point in time where they expected to have a release next week or shortly after.

Why delayed?

The question becomes, why has the return of the McRib been delayed? We know fans are always excited for the return. We also know the McRib continues to provide 4th Quarter sales momentum for McDonald’s. Thus it is unlikely that McDonald’s would have wanted to hold back unless there was an outside influence. One fan (thank you John) shared a theory that his source was suggesting that the reason for delay seems to be related to constraint in the supply line due to COVID, specifically the Pork.

The theory of supply constraint has merit. Just this week The Guardian shared a story this week, How does one of the world’s biggest pork firms go bust during a boom? which mentions that in the first five months of 2020 there was a 531% increase in Pork exports to China. This appears to be a response to a much larger problem in China with a lack of food, detailed in a story published earlier this month in the Washington Post China’s mealtime appeal amid food supply worries: Don’t take more than you can eat. At a time with reduced production in the US due to COVID, this international demand has put a lot of pressure on Pork availability in the US consumer markets as well.

Where does that leave us?

The good news, is that it appears that the Pork market is stabilizing. The National Hog Farmer shared this week that Hog prices are recovering. Most encouraging for access to Pork in the US markets was an image they shared showing overall export pressure. This chart shows the collective export volume is starting to normalize with previous years. The end result is that availability for Pork products may increase in US markets as the year continues.

Chart: U.S. pork exports to major markets, carcass weight (Monthly)
Export demand to Asia is falling, which may give way to more broad Pork availability yet this year

In summary, don’t give up yet, it still looks like we will be seeing McRibs within the next month or two. We will continue to dig into what the status of the 2020… 2021(?) US McRib release. As we find more information we will be certain to share it.

Be sure to follow us here on our McRib Locator Blog, Facebook, and Twitter for all the most up to date #McRib and #McRibLocator information.

The 2020 Central America McRib Release

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As we earlier brought to attention on social media, the 2020 Central America McRib Release has arrived. It appears that the offering this year very closely mirrors that of what was offered last year. There are variations of the McRib with bacon, onion rings, and one with cheese.

Photo from https://juntosencasa.mcdonalds.com.gt/ribiembre/
Photo from https://juntosencasa.mcdonalds.com.gt/ribiembre/
McDonalds Guatemala Promotional Materials for the 2020 McRib

Not only are they promoting the McRib sandwich itself, however are also promoting using McRib BBQ sauce with their side item options.

Competition Response

Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, competing sandwich shop DelPuente is promoting their take on the McRib sandwich, one that might have made a complimentary addition to the idea of McRib variations offered at McDonalds. While we tend to avoid McRib clones, this one is so close to the real thing it seemed worth mentioning.

Their sandwich features a similar “boneless” pork rib patty slathered in BBQ sauce, and pickles on top. The sandwich is served on a hoagie style bun that appears to even have the same topping as the McRib. Their offering differs as it brings a layer of pulled pork, red onion, lettuce, and mustard on it.


English Translation: Delicious boneless pork rib bathed in BBQ sauce, Pulled Pork, onion, pickles, mustard and lettuce. Includes Curly Fries and Frezka natural

It appears that Central America is going to have a lot of pork sandwich options this year, making the decision of picking which to have a tasty challenge.

McRib to return in 2020

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This article is now outdated. Please see our newer 2020 US McRib post.

Good news fellow US McRib fans, the McRib is going to return in 2020 at some US stores again this year! We have been calling around, and with the help of a few other fans, have enough confidence to now announce that McRibs will again grace the menu of select locations in 2020.

When will the McRib be back?

So when exactly will the McRib be back? A few bits of information point to when the sandwich will return. First, throughout the calls that we have made we had a few indicate a date range. Those that indicated it would be back have replied that the McRib will be back toward the end of October. A larger number of stores indicated they were not sure. It would seem the volume of uncertainty would suggest a very limited release. Not to worry, history shows that some future promotions ran at McDonalds do not start showing up until about a month before the planned release. We are right at that window, so we are not alarmed yet to the scale of the McRib season. One fan in Atlanta was in contact with an owner of multiple stores there and they too indicated a late October release (thank you John!)

A second hint of when the sandwich was in our historical archives. Reviewing our archives to see exactly when the McRib has returned in the past. This year being a presidential election year, we looked back at the past few presidential election years and again see late October/first week of November as the most likely date for the McRib to return.

October 29 – November 5, 2016 McRib Confirmations

Where will the McRib return?

Exactly which locations will have the McRib is still uncertain. With the state of things this year, we wouldn’t think there would be a return to all locations. Also historically we know that new offerings on the menu can prevent the McRib from returning as focus is put on the new offering. The emphasis currently appears to be on musician labeled meals. As they are now on to the second of these pairings, the campaign may draw conflict in some markets.

That is what we currently have for information on the McRib returning in 2020 within US markets. As we get closer to the release date more information should become available and we will share that as it does so. Until then, lets reflect back on this fan’s love of the McRib as shown by his unique costume!