Radio hosts say McDonald's Big Mac has shrunk from 20 years ago (2024)

FAQs

Have Big Macs gotten smaller over time? ›

It hasn't changed. It's still two 10 to a pound patties on the same size sesame seed bun, with the same amounts of special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions.

Charles Olsen is suing McDonald's after he said a misplaced piece of cheese almost killed him. Olsen went into anaphylaxis reaction after taking a bite out of the famed Mickey D's burger, according to a recently filed lawsuit. The mishap saw him rushed to the hospital where he thought he “might not make it,” he said.

Gorske extended his Guinness World Record for most Big Mac burgers eaten in a lifetime after consuming 728 Big Macs in 2023. Don's record if now more than 34,100 Big Macs. "Being obsessive compulsive like I am, I've just stayed in my same old routine all the time,” Gorske said.

Gorske said that despite eating the burgers for over 50 years, he still relishes each one. "People who have watched me eating a Big Mac often comment that I look like I'm eating one for the very first time," he said.

If the fatty beef portions are cheaper than the lean portions, then they can actually make, a fattier beef patty still hitting the appropriate weights,” Haracz said. “But when you cook it, more of that fat is released and you might have a smaller looking patty.”

The Double Big Mac was first introduced in March 2020 (you remember March 2020, right?) alongside the smaller version, the Little Mac, to even things out.

Schafer said the culinary team added more sauce to the Big Mac, swapped in fluffier buns that both toast and retain heat better, cooked less beef more often -- six patties on the grill at once instead of eight -- and added the minced white onions while the patties cooked to soak up the juices and lock in more flavor.

The main strategic issues faced by McDonald's are increasing competition, health and wellness concerns, and technological advancements. Increasing competition in the fast food industry has led to McDonald's losing market share in recent years.

EU trademark revocation

McDonald's sued the Irish fast-food chain Supermac's for trademark infringement and claimed the name would confuse consumers in European markets.

"If you only consume processed or fast food very occasionally, your risk of adverse effects is low," says Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, INHC, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety.

Why are Big Macs so unhealthy? ›

"Excessive consumption of saturated fats can lead to elevated cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease," Richards warns of the Big Mac. "The large serving of French fries adds more unhealthy fats, sodium, and empty calories to the meal, further contributing to weight gain and heart health concerns."

On May 17, 2022, Gorske celebrated 50 years of eating Big Macs nearly every day since May 1972. By March 2024, Gorske had surpassed eating 34,000 Big Macs. Gorske claims to skip breakfast, and the only other food he eats is a small evening snack such as ice cream, a fruit bar, or potato chips.

Joey Chestnut: Hot-dog eating champion eats record 32 Big Macs.

One man has eaten more than 34,000 McDonald's Big Macs in his lifetime — and even broke his own record. Don Gorske, 70, has extended his Guinness World Records title for the most Big Mac burgers eaten in a lifetime after eating 728 additional Big Macs throughout 2023. He now stands at 34,128 Big Macs.

The most Big Mac® burgers eaten in a lifetime is 34,128 and was achieved by Donald Gorske (USA), in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA, on 1 January 2024. Donald is a self confessed Big Mac enthusiast.

Schafer said the culinary team added more sauce to the Big Mac, swapped in fluffier buns that both toast and retain heat better, cooked less beef more often -- six patties on the grill at once instead of eight -- and added the minced white onions while the patties cooked to soak up the juices and lock in more flavor.

The iconic Big Mac, a staple of McDonald's menus, has seen its average price rise by 50% in the last 10 years — from $3.99 in 2014 to $5.99 today.

The Big Mac (and virtually all sandwiches) vary from country to country with differing nutritional values, weights and even nominal size differences. Not all Big Mac burgers offered by the chain are exclusively beef.

McDonald's says its iconic Big Mac burger is now getting a bigger sibling — the Double Big Mac, with four beef patties instead of the usual two. The fast-food chain will begin selling the Double Big Mac at participating McDonald's restaurants nationwide for a limited time starting Jan.