In the summer of 2024, McDonald’s introduced a new burger across its 205 locations in Portugal. This enticing creation features two beef patties stacked with gooey cheese, crunchy toppings, and a zesty McDonald’s sauce. The company’s chairman and CEO, Chris Kempczinski, shared these details during an earnings call that year. The Big Arch burger, a limited-time offering, made its debut in the U.S. just this week.
The burger, along with Kempczinski, has captured attention lately, especially after he shared a taste-test video where he enjoyed the Big Arch for lunch.
What appeared to be a lighthearted glimpse into the CEO’s leisure time spiraled into a viral meme, with social media users poking fun at Kempczinski’s demeanor, suggesting he didn’t genuinely relish the meal. Detractors criticized him for describing the burger as a “product,” leading to playful jabs from other fast-food executives, including Burger King’s Tom Curtis, who weighed in on the situation.
Introducing the Big Arch Burger
The Big Arch boasts an impressive 1,020 calories, as noted in its menu listing. Adult women typically require between 1,600 and 2,400 calories per day, while adult men need approximately 2,200 to 3,000 calories, according to the 2020–25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This means that just one Big Arch could account for over two-thirds of an individual’s daily caloric requirement, not including fries or a drink.
“Our global team of chefs has crafted a more satisfying burger to meet customer expectations while reinforcing our dedication to menu innovation,” a McDonald’s spokesperson stated in a communication with Fortune in 2024.
Before its official release, McDonald’s tested the new item in three international markets, including Portugal, Canada, and Germany. Kempczinski had hinted at a larger burger emerging in McDonald’s lineup during a December 2023 interview with CNN.
“In various U.S. markets and around the world, offering a more substantial burger presents an opportunity,” Kempczinski commented. “We are actively working on that, so expect exciting developments.”
Is Bigger Truly Better?
The aim of the Big Arch’s launch is to “address unmet customer desires with a more fulfilling burger that delivers excellent value,” Kempczinski explained during the 2024 earnings call. The Big Arch certainly fulfills that promise, containing 36% more calories than the Double Big Mac and surpassing all other items on the McDonald’s menu.
However, determining “great value for money” can be tricky, as McDonald’s franchises set their own prices, leading to variations by location. Reports indicate that prices may range from $6.89 to $10.19 for just the burger, while a combo meal with fries and soda could cost between $11.09 and $14.29.
Beyond calories, the Big Arch has a fat content of 65 grams, nearly 96% of the recommended daily fat intake for adults, as Melissa Boufounos, a sports nutritionist and owner of MB Performance Nutrition in Canada, informed Fortune.
“As a sports nutritionist, I encourage individuals to consume adequate protein. With its two beef patties, the Big Arch provides an impressive 53 grams of protein,” Boufounos remarked. “Nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend rushing to get one; such a menu item doesn’t need to reach 1,020 calories.”
More concerning than the calorie count is the fat content, which Boufounos finds alarming.
“Excessive consumption of highly processed and fatty animal protein can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, and other chronic health issues,” she cautioned. “Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., with someone experiencing a heart attack every 40 seconds. To me, this burger represents a step in the wrong direction.”
Despite these concerns, Kempczinski maintains that the Big Arch is a “quintessential McDonald’s burger with a twist on our iconic flavors.”
A version of this story was originally published on Fortune.com on July 30, 2024.
