McDonald’s mozzarella sticks, once a tempting addition to the fast-food giant’s menu, are no longer available in North America. This disappearance is attributed to a combination of factors, including customer complaints, a lawsuit alleging false advertising, and the company’s strategic decision to focus on its core offerings.
The Rise and Fall of McDonald’s Mozzarella Sticks
In 2015, McDonald’s introduced mozzarella sticks as a new menu item, hoping to diversify its offerings beyond burgers and fries. The sticks were priced at an attractive $1.39 for three, making them a tempting option for value-conscious customers.
However, the launch was met with criticism from customers who complained that the sticks were mostly devoid of cheese, with some even appearing hollow. Social media was flooded with photos of the sticks with their breaded exteriors looking disappointingly empty, leading to the infamous “Cheesegate” controversy.
McDonald’s attempted to address the concerns by claiming that the cheese had oozed out during the preparation process and promised to improve production. However, this explanation failed to satisfy many customers, who felt misled by the product’s appearance and perceived lack of cheese content.
A Lawsuit Over “Cheese Fraud”
In 2016, the controversy escalated further when a lawsuit was filed in California alleging that McDonald’s was falsely advertising its mozzarella sticks as containing 100% real mozzarella cheese. The lawsuit claimed that the cheese actually contained a significant amount of starch, which was added as a filler to increase profits.
The lawsuit accused McDonald’s of violating federal standards of identity for mozzarella cheese and deceiving consumers about the product’s ingredients. It sought class-action status and damages for false advertising and breach of warranty.
McDonald’s vigorously defended itself against the lawsuit, maintaining that its mozzarella sticks were made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese. However, the company ultimately decided to voluntarily dismiss the case in October 2016 without any resolution or compensation for either party.
The Disappearance of Mozzarella Sticks from McDonald’s Menu
Following the lawsuit and ongoing customer complaints, McDonald’s decided to discontinue its mozzarella sticks in North America. The sticks have not been available on the menu since 2017, marking the end of their short-lived presence at the fast-food chain.
While the exact reasons for the discontinuation remain unclear, it is likely a combination of factors, including:
- Negative customer perception: The “Cheesegate” controversy and complaints about the lack of cheese content damaged the product’s reputation and made it less appealing to customers.
- Lawsuit and legal costs: The lawsuit, even though dismissed, likely incurred significant legal costs for McDonald’s and may have contributed to the decision to discontinue the product.
- Strategic focus on core offerings: McDonald’s may have decided to focus on its core menu items, such as burgers and fries, which are more profitable and have a stronger brand association with the company.
The story of McDonald’s mozzarella sticks is a cautionary tale about the importance of product quality, customer satisfaction, and accurate advertising. The controversy highlights the potential consequences of failing to meet customer expectations and the impact of legal challenges on product availability.
While McDonald’s mozzarella sticks may be gone from North American menus, the “Cheesegate” incident serves as a reminder for businesses to prioritize quality, transparency, and customer trust in their product offerings.
By then, a McDonalds customer in California, Chris Howe, filed a class-action lawsuit against the chain along with 40 other customers (via Eater). The furious patrons collectively claimed a whopping $5 million in damages from the chain. According to ABA Journal, the point of contention was McDonalds advertising its cheese sticks as being made of “100% mozzarella.” Instead, Howe claimed that “the sticks are filled with a substance that is composed [in part] of starch, in violation of the federal standards of identity for mozzarella cheese, and contrary to reasonable consumers expectations regarding the meaning of the term mozzarella.” The suit claimed that 3.76% of the cheese is starch.
Fast food chains frequently remove popular items from their menus, which annoys regular customers. You can attribute it to supply chain problems, marketing ploys, seasonal availability, or unprofitability, but you never know when your favorite order will disappear. On the other hand, the discontinuation of McDonald’s mozzarella sticks is a whole other story.
Angry customers took to social media as soon as the mozzarella sticks were available at McDonald’s restaurants to vent about the cheese—or lack thereof—in the sticks. Images of hollowed-out mozzarella sticks began to circulate online, prompting complaints that the sticks were more fried than cheese. “Usually what I want when I order mozzarella sticks is some cheese,” a disgruntled customer tweeted. Later, the restaurant chain issued a statement claiming that the mozzarella had leaked during baking and should never have been served. Delish claims that this error was intended to be corrected.
When McDonalds announced that it was going to add the deep-fried cheese stick to its menu nationwide starting in 2016 — and selling three sticks for a dollar at that — collective gasps from thrilled customers could be heard across the country (via Business Insider). While the initial reaction to the mozzarella sticks was one of delight, soon the highly anticipated cheese sticks became the subject of national outrage. In fact, the sticks were reportedly taken off the menu pretty soon after they were launched and it was no planned tactic on McDonalds behalf.
Conversely, a class-action lawsuit and a flurry of social media complaints forced the removal of the mozzarella sticks from the menu. What’s even more intriguing is that this isn’t the first time McDonald’s has faced legal action related to cheese.
Although you may have heard this late-80s menu item being called the “McPizza,” it was never actually named that by McDonalds. Instead, the chain just called it pizza and hoped that it would bring in customers who frequented other pizza chains, such as Dominos and Pizza Hut. Starting out as full-size pies, McDonalds pizza was then offered in individual sizes with toppings such as sausage, peppers, onions, pepperoni, and mushrooms before it was discontinued.
In 2015, McDonald’s declared that it would launch its mozzarella sticks nationwide. The snack was viewed as a little mediocre, and some customers complained that the fillings were missing. However, Hollis Johnson of Business Insiders noted in his review that it was difficult to go wrong with hot, fried cheese.
In 2017, McDonalds tried again. The fast-food restaurant chain introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, which appear to be an attempt to bridge the gap left by Chicken Selects in the hearts of its patrons. Advertisement.
McDonald’s attempt to create a miniature fried fish snack, a fishier take on popcorn chicken, was known as Fish McBites.
In 2017, Hi-C Orange Lavaburst was taken off of McDonald’s American menu, which infuriated drink enthusiasts. The orange drink was replaced by a new soda called Sprite Tropic Berry at the chain.
McDonald’s Mozzarella Sticks
FAQ
Are mozzarella sticks coming back to McDonald’s?
When did McDonald’s stop selling mozzarella sticks?
Why does McDonald’s not have mozzarella sticks?
Are the Mozzarella Dippers gone?
Are McDonald’s mozzarella cheese sticks made with skim mozzarella cheese?
McDonald’s responded to press inquiries by stating that “our mozzarella cheese sticks are made with 100 percent low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously against these allegations.” The case was voluntarily dismissed in October 2016, with no reward obtained by either party.
Did McDonald’s take off mozzarella sticks?
While the initial reaction to the mozzarella sticks was one of delight, soon the highly anticipated cheese sticks became the subject of national outrage. In fact, the sticks were reportedly taken off the menu pretty soon after they were launched and it was no planned tactic on McDonald’s behalf.
Are McDonald’s mozzarella sticks fried?
As soon as the mozzarella sticks hit McDonald’s stores, furious customers flocked to social media to express their displeasure at the cheese inside the sticks, or rather, lack of it. Pictures of mozzarella sticks with hollowed insides started surfacing the internet with people complaining that the sticks had more fried air than cheese.
Did McDonald’s advertise ‘100% mozzarella’?
The furious patrons collectively claimed a whopping $5 million in damages from the chain. According to ABA Journal, the point of contention was McDonald’s advertising its cheese sticks as being made of “100% mozzarella.”