Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

The 8 Craziest Ways McDonald's Has Tried to Boost Sales In celebration of McDonald's 75th birthday, here are some of the chain's wackiest recent menu items and marketing tactics in the last year.

By Kate Taylor

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

This week marks 75 years since the first McDonald's restaurant opened for business -- and what a strange, strange trip it has been.

While the fast-food chain is the largest in the world, the company has been in a serious slump in the last few years. Earlier in May, the company announced a turnaround plan after more than a year without a month of same-store sales growth in the U.S.

To celebrate the fast-food giant's birthday, Entrepreneur compiled a list of some of the strangest marketing and menu moves McDonald's has made in the last year or so. Hopefully for the chain, another year older will mean another year wiser.
Entrepreneur

Starting delivery service in New York City.

We must admit, ordering McDonald's to the Entrepreneur office earlier in May went better than expected.

Related: We Tested Chipotle and McDonald's New Delivery Services. Here's What Happened.

Serving breakfast all day.

Apparently, serving Egg McMuffins all day has been a hit: The chain reportedly announced plans to expand this test on Monday.

Crafting lentil and eggplant salads.

But only at a test concept called The Corner in Australia.

Opening up in churches.

Okay, McDonald's never actually did this but a Christian design consultancy launched an Indiegogo campaign based on the idea.

Related: Freshii's CEO Says McDonald's Franchisees Want to Open Healthy Shops Inside Fast-Food Restaurants

Hiring a Mythbuster to talk about pink slime.

The "Our Food. Your Questions." campaign tried to get people to finally stop asking if there were worms in their burgers.

Trademarking McBrunch.

The company hasn't done anything with the trademark yet, but we're ready for a McMimosa.

McDonald's

Introducing a terrifying new mascot.

"Happy" was a scary surprise when the chain introduced him last May.

McDonald's

Giving Ronald McDonald a makeover.

The mascot debuted his new look when he joined Twitter last April.

Related: McDonald's Secret Plans to Boost Sales Include Faster Drive-Thru, Frozen Lemonade and All-Day Breakfast

Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Thought Leaders

How to Become a Successful Social Entrepreneur

It's not the same as being a great business person.

Growing a Business

Want to Expand Your Market Overseas? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Global Logistics in 2024

With rising geopolitical tensions and changing market conditions it can be hard for businesses to navigate supply chain logistics even in a post-pandemic world. Here are three tips from the CEO of an international customs brokerage.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Elvis Presley's Granddaughter Fights Graceland Foreclosure, Calls Paperwork 'Forgeries'

The 13.8-acre estate was scheduled to be sold in a public foreclosure auction on Thursday. Presley's granddaughter and heir, Riley Keough, is fighting to save Graceland in court.

Franchise

What Franchising Can Teach The NFL About The Impact of Private Equity

The NFL is smart to take a thoughtful approach before approving institutional capital's investment in teams.