McDonald's Japan adds thigh-meat chicken burgers to its regular menu from October 21
In short
McDonald's Japan said on October 8 it will add three chicken burgers and a chicken side made with a whole piece of chicken thigh to its regular menu from October 21, after five years of development. The burgers are priced from 460 yen and 470 yen and the side from 270 yen. ASCII.jp reported that the breast-meat Chicken Filet-O and other existing chicken items will be discontinued.
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McDonald's Japan said on October 8 that it will add new chicken products made with a whole piece of chicken thigh to its regular menu on October 21. The line-up comprises three burgers, the Zakuzaku Juicy Mac (ザクザクジューシーマック), the Spicy Zakuzaku Juicy Mac (スパイシーザクザクジューシーマック) and the Teriyaki Chicken Juicy Mac (てりやきチキンジューシーマック), and a side, the Zakuzaku Juicy Momo Chicken (ザクザクジューシーももチキン). The chicken is wrapped in a wave-shaped coating, and the company said development took five years; Sankei reported that more than 100 prototype combinations of chicken cuts and sauces were tested. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
According to Sankei and Impress Watch, the Zakuzaku Juicy Mac costs from 460 yen and pairs the chicken with a tartar sauce flavoured with coarse mustard and black pepper. The Spicy Zakuzaku Juicy Mac, from 470 yen, uses a chilli and garlic sauce, and the Teriyaki Chicken Juicy Mac, from 470 yen, uses a ginger and garlic teriyaki sauce; Impress Watch and ASCII.jp said it also carries a sweet lemon sauce. The side costs from 270 yen. Impress Watch put value sets at 740 yen and 750 yen. [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Double versions with two pieces of chicken will be sold during the Yoru Mac period, which ASCII.jp said starts at 17:00; it listed the double Spicy Zakuzaku Juicy Mac from 610 yen. The Zakuzaku Juicy Mac set will also be offered at lunchtime for 650 yen. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]
ASCII.jp reported that the new burgers replace the Chicken Filet-O, which used breast meat, and that the Chicken Filet-O, the Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O, their evening double versions and the Shaka Chiki (シャカチキ) side will be phased out from October, while Chikichi (チキチー) and its double version end on October 20. Impress Watch said the Bacon Lettuce Burger and Ebi Filet-O (えびフィレオ) will switch to the new tartar sauce from October 21. [ 6 , 7 ]
Eitaro Nishida (西田瑛太郎), an executive officer in the marketing division, told Sankei the company aims to grow the chicken into a new pillar comparable to the Big Mac and Double Cheeseburger and to lift the market as a whole. Nikkei's headline said the chain was making seven chicken items standard to keep customers despite high prices. Livedoor News reported that Hiroshi Abe will appear in his first McDonald's commercial, airing from October 20. Limited-time lemonade drinks and a black-pepper fries seasoning will also be sold from October 21 until late November, ASCII.jp said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The launch replaces part of the chain's standing chicken line-up rather than adding a limited-time item; a company executive said it aims to grow the products into a pillar comparable to the Big Mac. Nikkei framed the move as a way to keep customers despite high prices.
Key facts
- McDonald's Japan will add three burgers, Zakuzaku Juicy Mac (ザクザクジューシーマック), Spicy Zakuzaku Juicy Mac (スパイシーザクザクジューシーマック) and Teriyaki Chicken Juicy Mac (てりやきチキンジューシーマック), plus a side, Zakuzaku Juicy Momo Chicken (ザクザクジューシーももチキン), to its regular menu on October 21. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- The products use a whole piece of chicken thigh in a wave-shaped coating. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- The company spent five years developing the products and tested more than 100 prototype combinations, according to Sankei. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Prices start at 460 yen for the Zakuzaku Juicy Mac, 470 yen for the other two burgers and 270 yen for the side. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Double versions with two pieces of chicken will be sold during the evening Yoru Mac period. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- ASCII.jp reported that the Chicken Filet-O, which used breast meat, the Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O and the Shaka Chiki (シャカチキ) side will be phased out from October, and Chikichi (チキチー) ends on October 20. [ 7 ]
- Livedoor News reported that Hiroshi Abe appears in a McDonald's commercial for the first time, with the new TV advertisement airing from October 20. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- McDonald's Japan will add three thigh-meat chicken burgers and a chicken side to its regular menu on October 21. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- The new chicken products took five years to develop. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Prices start at 460 yen for the Zakuzaku Juicy Mac, 470 yen for the Spicy Zakuzaku Juicy Mac and Teriyaki Chicken Juicy Mac, and 270 yen for the side. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Double-chicken versions will be sold during the Yoru Mac evening period. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- How many chicken items are being made standard. Nikkei's headline says seven chicken items, while the other outlets describe three burgers and one side, plus double versions sold in the evening.
- The discontinuation of the Chicken Filet-O, Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O, Shaka Chiki and Chikichi. Only ASCII.jp reports the end dates; Impress Watch says only that the existing chicken products are being refreshed.
- Hiroshi Abe's role in the advertising campaign. Only Livedoor News's summary mentions the commercial.
- The change of sauce on the Bacon Lettuce Burger and Ebi Filet-O. Only Impress Watch reports that both will switch to the new tartar sauce from October 21.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Game Watch reports the four new regular chicken products going on sale October 21. [ 1 ]
- Sankei reports McDonald's Japan's announcement, prices and the executive's comments. [ 3 ]
- Nikkei reports that McDonald's is making seven chicken items standard. [ 5 ]
- ASCII.jp reports that the Chicken Filet-O and other chicken items will be discontinued. [ 7 ]