The McDonald's menu is reminiscent to its faithful patrons for its burgers, fries, nuggets, Happy Meals, chicken sandwiches, and range of McFlurry options. There are also offerings like à la carte apple slices for those with a more health-conscious mindset. Strikingly absent, however, are salad options.

At the WSJ Global Food Forum in Chicago, Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s USA president, touched on this subject. Engaging in a conversation with The Wall Street Journal’s Kate Linebaugh during a panel discussion labeled “The Business of Fast Food,” Erlinger highlighted topics varying from business strategies to customer spending concerns.

"Quite strikingly, almost 90% of the U.S. population frequents McDonald's at least once annually," Erlinger noted during the panel. "Given that we cater to such a vast customer base, it's crucial that we remain true to our brand and find ways to enhance customers' frequency of visits and satisfy their needs, rather than wooing the remaining fraction of the population."

Moving forward with this mindset, McDonald’s has been focusing on improving the quality of its food. Significant steps have been taken, like the planned 2023 overhaul of its classic burgers, wiping out unnecessary preservatives from certain menu items, and incorporating farm-fresh, cage-free eggs in breakfast sandwiches.

When quizzed directly about the lack of salads on the menu, Erlinger responded, "Our founder aptly put it back in 1970 – 'we would serve what the majority wants'. If the public demanded salads from McDonald's, we would be more than happy to reintroduce them. However, our experience suggests the contrary. The customers are not expecting salads from McDonald's."

Historically, there have been periods where salads had found their place on McDonald's U.S. menu. The McSalad Shakers, introduced in 2000, came in three variants served in tall cups. The idea was to provide the flexibility for patrons to add the dressing as per their preference and shake it up. Later, these were replaced in 2003 by the large-format Premium salads featuring ample amounts of grilled chicken and Newman’s Own dressing. The pandemic ushered the removal of salads as part of McDonald's strategic approach to expedite service and deal with supply chain disruptions.

In the current scenario, the demand for salads from McDonald's U.S. restaurants is simply not high enough. As Erlinger pointed out, "They’re in search for a hot, fresh sandwich, crispy fries, or the $5 meal deal, and that's precisely what we are determined to deliver."

Echoing Erlinger's sentiments, McDonald’s outside the U.S. do dish up salads custom-made to cater to local preferences. For instance, McDonald’s Japan provides a simple side salad, and McDonald's France has two main-course salads and a seasonal option. But if you are in the U.S. and craving for greens, you might have to venture to one of McDonald's rivals, such as Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, or Subway.