June 6 - McDonald's Corporation (MCD, Financial) introduced its first permanent menu item in over four years with the McCrispy Strips, according to a Friday press release.
Early reactions from food critics described the new chicken strips as “bland, soggy, and overpriced,” likening them to “high school chicken strips” rather than the crispy tenders offered by rivals such as Chick-fil-A and Popeye's.
Meanwhile, some observers noted that McCrispy Strips scored better on value compared to competing offerings, though the appearance and portion size drew criticism.
On Wall Street, Loop Capital cut McDonald's stock to Hold from Buy, citing worries that domestic comparable sales may not recover as anticipated. Analyst Alton Stump said franchisees have shared that the strips' lighter breading delivers a purer chicken taste but results in a less appealing and smaller product than those of top competitors.
Loop Capital maintained its 2025 earnings estimates but lowered its price target on McDonald's to $315 from $346, equating to about 18 times its projected EV/EBITDA for the year. Traders are watching customer feedback on McCrispy Strips for signs of potential earnings pressure.
