The Big Mac may be McDonald’s most popular burger, but a newer contender is rapidly capturing the attention and appetites of consumers around the globe. Now, it’s headed to the U.S. to continue its dominance. 

First introduced in Portugal in July 2024, the Big Arch burger quickly gained traction, leading McDonald’s to expand its offering into Canada and Germany a month later. By 2025, it had reached more markets, including the UK, Ireland, and France.

This massive burger features two quarter-pounder patties layered with three slices of white cheese and topped with crispy onions, slivered onions, pickles, lettuce, and Big Arch Sauce, all sandwiched between a sesame and poppy seed bun.

While the U.S. has long offered the Double Quarter Pounder, which could be the closest menu item to the Big Arch burger, it’s not the same. This newer burger is positioned as a premium yet value-driven item.

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Due to its positive response abroad, McDonald’s is finally bringing the Big Arch to the U.S. However, for now, it’s only available at its Headquarters restaurant at 1035 W. Randolph in Chicago, Illinois. 

While the Big Arch is not a nationwide offering yet, McDonald’s has acknowledged the burger’s success and universal appeal, which has led it to accelerate its expansion, potentially making it available across more states.

“The pilot of our larger burger offering, Big Arch, now in three international markets, Portugal, Germany, and Canada, shows that we’re listening to consumer tastes and delivering,” said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski in an earnings call. “We’ll work with franchisees and partners to deploy the Big Arch faster into more international markets in 2025.”

McDonald’s launches the Big Arch burger in the U.S.

Image source: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

McDonald’s strategic global rollout of the Big Arch

McDonald’s  (MCD)  has taken a measured approach in expanding the Big Arch, tailoring its availability based on regional preferences and past performance. 

The company often adapted its menu depending on the country it’s catering to, offering more localized items to better resonate with customers in each market. This strategy reduces risk and improves return on investment. 

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Despite its higher price point, the Big Arch delivers greater value, which is attractive to consumers, especially in today’s economic climate, where customers have become more cautious about their spending.

In fact, McDonald’s claims the Big Arch has been a key traffic driver in the countries where it has launched, causing its global comparable sales to increase nearly 4% year-over-year in the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

McDonald’s finds a solution to recent declines  

McDonald’s has faced challenges in the U.S., including slower foot traffic and falling sales. Rising costs are a major contributor to this decline. 

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that food prices climbed nearly 25% from March 2020 to June 2024, while dining out became 26% more expensive.

In response, the company has launched several value-focused initiatives, including the Extra Value Meals, McValue menu, and $5 Meal Deals to win back cost-conscious customers.

Those efforts are starting to pay off. Comparable sales in the U.S. increased 2.5% year-over-year in the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

There’s data to back these results. According to Circana, value menu traffic rose 1% in the quarter ending June 2025, a 2% increase from the prior year, marking positive growth for the first time in the last three years.

“Value buyers are 33% more likely than non-value buyers to purchase value menu items when visiting other restaurant chains, indicating they actively seek out deals across various brands,” Circana reported.

Is McDonald’s bringing the Big Arch nationwide?

With its size, flavor, and value, the Big Arch may be the answer McDonald’s has been looking for. It also seems to be checking off many boxes on customers’ request lists, and its success abroad suggests strong potential in the U.S. market.

While McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed a nationwide rollout, it could become the fast-food chain’s next menu staple if the release is successful in Chicago. 

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