US
This week marks the more official kick-off to the 2022 season! October 26, 2022 will see many locations that have been planning to offer the sandwich bring the McRib to the menu. Here is an example from Nashville supporting this release date.
While we wait for this day to arrive, many locations have started their soft launches for the McRib this year. Much like my personal experience, many fans are reporting that the McRib was available upon request, however there was no signage for the McRib yet nor was the sandwich available on the mobile app or via the in-store kiosk. Expect promotional materials prior to the 26th, in fact my local store put up signage today.
Farewell Tour?
The more interesting item this season is that many locations are promoting the McRib this year as a “Farewell Tour”. Some fans are indicating that after talking with the store manager that their manager has been told this is the last year for the McRib. Some have signs that say “Enjoy it like it’s your last” or “This could be your last bite”, which are a bit disturbing in the sense of the McRib being gone, or perhaps even more as some have suggested a more threatening tone.
More promotion of this “Farewell Tour” can be found on the McDonald’s site. I suspect we will start seeing more material as the nationwide release gets closer. Notice that their posting is also showing November 20th as the end of the nationwide campaign.
Purely speculation at this time, however this promotion could be a hint that next year will NOT be a nationwide release. We are not that far removed from the less favorable McRib years where only select sales groups decided to offer the McRib, sometimes at the dismay of individual store owners.
This could also be a sales strategy to see if this will drive even more sales of the McRib this year. In previous years, McDonald’s has utilized the McRib offering as a way to round out their quarterly numbers. We have been told in the past the McRib was going away, only to see the sandwich return in some form the following year if limited or even smaller (McRib JR). This makes it hard to believe the sandwich would be on the way out the door, even if the Hamburglar was behind this scheme.
Globally
McRib season is unfortunately coming toward an end in Central America. Guatemala ended their promotion this past week. The McRib remains on the menu for now in Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Based on how long Guatemala offered the McRib, it will not be long before it leaves Central America for the season.
Malta is still going strong with their McRib offering. They recently shared this all too real scenario for fans of the McRib.
Germany is a year round fan of the McRib, however we also had a report and confirmation there this past week.
How you can help
As we get closer to the release date, please be on the lookout for the McRib and report the return when it is on menus in your area. We know that the locations that are first to offer the McRib are generally the first to see it go. It is much appreciated having help from fans like you to help other fans find the sandwich. If you find the McRib, please drop a report on our map, and then if you purchase the sandwich please send us a receipt showing the date, store, and price of the McRib sandwich at your location.