Hot off the grill, the McRib returns for Australia in 2020! Apparently the McRib has frequently been asked for, and now those requesting have been rewarded with the McRib returning. The last time the McRib was here was in 2018!
2020 Australia McDonalds landing page image2020 Australia McDonalds McRib product image
LAD Bible is reporting that the McRib will be on menus in Australia through January 19th, just a few days further into 2021 that here in the US.
It would seem that the biggest difference in sandwich construction in the Australian McRib is a slightly different bun offering. Have you had a McRib in Australia? We would love to see pictures of how it looks to see how it may vary with that offered here in the US.
First, today is a day many years coming for some parts of the United States. McRib fans are rejoicing, but none more than in regions where it has been nearly a decade since the McRib was last offered. Thank you all for your continued contributions to the webpage, my goal has always been to create a community of McRib fans helping each other track down this tasty sandwich.
Second, last night, I received a promotional box for this year’s McRib from McDonalds. The McRib promotion this year is a tie in to the No-Shave November non-profit organization. As November is over, McDonalds is promoting shaving for a good cause, a portion of McRib sales from December 2nd.
https://www.no-shave.org
Additionally, McDonalds wanted to reaffirm their commitment to Black-owned businesses by sourcing swag from the Ceylon company. It is a nice shaving kit for sure!
While these promotional boxes are more elusive than a McRib in February, I can direct you to their promotion where they will be giving out 10,000 McRibs if you share a selfie of yourself on Twitter or Instagram with your clean shaven face, use hashtag #Shave4McRibSweepstakes and tag @McDonalds.
Lastly, Please continue to send your reports! I noticed McRib advertising is still saying “at participating locations” so it is possible there are still some locations that will not be offering the McRib this year. As the McRib inventory dwindles, we are going to need those McRib confirmations to help fans race to get their last McRibs of the season.
Remember, you can follow us for all the most up to date information on our Blog, Twitter, and Facebook page.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
The 2019 McRib US finale approaches. We are hearing from more and more fans indicating that the sandwich is no longer available at their local stores. Other locations indicate that little time remains before the sandwich leaves their menus. As inventory drops, we are also hearing about some locations out of buns resulting in make shift McRib assembly.
Late Season McRib run
While some are enjoying their double digit count McRibs, like other parts of the country the nearest confirmed report for us was over an hour away. Not wanting to miss out chance, we recently traveled 1.5 hours out to Menomonie, WI where the McRib was still on the menu. It was as tasty as always, and the store looked great having been renovated since our last visit here a few years ago.
Late 2019 season McRib with Xtra Pickles from Menomonie, WI
2019 season digital advertisement from Menomonie, WI
After I ordered I found out that this location would only be offering the McRib 2019 finale for about one more week (ending around November 9th, 2019). Taking the place of McRib as the speciality item at this store will be the Eggnog Shake.
Help others find the McRib
With inventory running out, let’s help fans get the McRib while they can! If you find a McRib make sure to report it at http://mcriblocator.com/report.html and send us a photo of your receipt. Make sure your receipt shows the location and date purchased as well as your McRib order. Send your confirmation photo to photos@mcriblocator.com . Thank you!
