McDonald’s Chicken Bet Hits Snag: Franchisees Say Birds Are Too Big, Meat Too Tough

McDonald’s push into hand-breaded chicken is facing early turbulence as franchisees report problems with product quality, including complaints of “tough meat” and oversized birds, according to an analyst note. The fast-food giant has been betting on chicken to drive growth, but operators say the new items are creating operational headaches and inconsistent customer experiences. The issues come as McDonald’s competes aggressively with chains like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes in the lucrative chicken sandwich category. Franchisee concerns highlight the challenge of scaling a premium product across thousands of locations while maintaining speed and consistency. If not resolved quickly, these complaints could slow the rollout and dent the brand’s credibility in a key menu segment. McDonald’s must balance franchisee profitability with its strategic chicken ambitions—or risk losing ground in the poultry wars.