McDonald’s “special sauce,” which has long been a closely guarded recipe available only with the purchase of their sandwiches, is now being offered commercially. The fast-food giant has revealed the ingredients for the Big Mac sauce, which include sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, onion powder, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika, alongside the addition of calcium carbonate and citrate. The company seems to be planning to sell this sauce and two other varieties in grocery stores.
McDonald’s is not alone in this endeavor; many restaurants have sought to expand their revenue streams by selling popular items outside of their dining establishments. Brands like Bob Evans, TGI Fridays, Famous Dave’s, and Jamba Juice have all ventured into retail markets. It’s possible that McDonald’s is using Canada as a testing ground for this rollout before making a decision about entering the U.S. market. Ultimately, the success of these products will depend on their ability to compete for shelf space. Grocery stores will only prioritize these items if consumers are eager to buy them. While McDonald’s has the brand recognition to facilitate its entry into grocery retail, the shelf life of these products could be short unless they gain significant consumer interest, especially considering the presence of calcium carbonate and citrate in the market.