These fast-food chains have removed menu items this year – here's why

On Thursday, Taco Bell's customers had to say "adios" to certain menu items.

The Mexican-inspired chain joins several other fast food companies to reduce their menus in 2019.

In recent years, as the fast food sector struggled to increase traffic, some chains turned to exciting time-limited offers to attract attention. A popular time-limited dish, like Taco Bell's Mountain Dew Baja Blast Drink, more than a decade ago, can become a permanent addition to the menu.

But if a restaurant adds too much, the extended menu can overwhelm guests, slow down the kitchen and lengthen the service lines.

"A guest encounters resistance when he is behind him, and he has to make a quick decision.In the driving department, it's the same thing where, not that they honk, but they honk in your head "said Gregg Rapp, consultant in menu engineering.

The general rule is to have seven menu items or less in each category, Rapp said.

When it comes to choosing which items to remove, menu engineers start by removing unpopular and less profitable menu items.

Although the items being removed are not usually best sellers, Mr. Rapp said that there will always be someone who complains about the modified menu. But there is a simple trick to avoid angry customers.

"What we usually do is keep it in the kitchen for about 60 days, so we'll have it available, but next time the person comes in, she'll forget about it," she said. he declared.

The menu of the Yum Brands chain is getting a new look. Along with the updated combo options, Taco Bell also removes nine items, including Cool Ranch and Fiery Doritos Locos tacos, mini-beef quesadilla, potato chips and salsa.

The new menu will also highlight bestsellers such as Quesaritos or Chalupa.

In the spring, McDonald's announced a series of changes to its menus as part of a broader strategy to accelerate driving times. The Golden Arches has also tried to focus on its main menu items, such as the Quarter Pounder or the Big Mac, which still have strong sales in the United States.

Its late-night menu, available from midnight to 5 am in participating establishments, no longer includes items such as Filet-O-Fish or Buttermilk Chicken. The hamburger chain also discontinued its range of high-end burgers and told franchisees that they could reduce their breakfast offer all day.

McDonald's CEO, Steve Easterbrook, told analysts, at the company's second quarter earnings call, that driving-time times had been going in the wrong direction for three or four years .

In addition to reducing menu items, McDonald's has also invested in technology and diagnostic tools to speed up travel. In June, driving time in the United States decreased by 15 seconds.

Earlier this year, Jack in the Box tested the ability to cut small menus and redundant SKUs in approximately 180 corporate and franchise stores. As a result, service times have been accelerated without affecting sales.

"We are our worst enemy when it comes to speed, because the ever-changing menu mix adds complexity and preparation time to our kitchen," said Leonard Comma, Chief Executive Officer. of the call of the second quarter results.

The chain, which sells hamburgers, tacos and egg rolls, began applying these changes to its entire system in July as part of a plan to reduce service times. A minute at the end of 2021. Among its products are its Monster tacos. , who has already been arrested once before.

Jack in the Box has turned inward to repair his business after concluding a strategic review in May and being ruled against a sale of the company.

El Pollo Loco said in May it has reduced its menu by 20% in all its stores. The Mexican chicken chain has abandoned products such as Cobb Mexican Salad, Fajita Chicken Burrito and Fajita Chicken Quesadilla.

"Reducing our menu by almost 20% has allowed us to be more efficient in cooking and to focus on the quality of food and service," said General Manager Bernard Acoca in a statement.

Like Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco's executives said the company did not see the transactions falling as a result of the simplification of the menu.