McDonald's Adds Branded Pork Products to Menu

September 9, 1999

McDonald's has added Johnsonville Bratwurst, a premium pork product, to its menu for a limited time. Through Sept. 30, the brat will be available in Iowa, Minnesota and western Illinois. The promotion will be expanded and offered in 2,000 restaurants by the end of the year.

What is unique is that this is a branded product being added to a restaurant menu. The grilled bratwurst is served on a home-style bakery bun and topped with ketchup and mustard. It will be available as an extra value meal for $2.99, including large fries and a medium drink. Pork producer checkoff money is being used to help support point-of-sale materials for the promotion.

Nationally, McDonald's uses 138.4 million pounds of pork a year, including bacon, sausage and the McRib sandwich. National Pork Producers Council implements checkoff funded efforts that include direct contact with major restaurant chains and includes efforts in new product introduction and educational information for food-service distributors.