NC’s favorite McDonald’s item has been on the menu since 1967

NOTE: The following video explains which fast-food restaurants had the fastest drive-thrus in 2023

RALEIGH, N.C. — Love it or hate it, McDonald’s is an American classic. In fact, the chain which opened its first location in Illinois nearly 70 years ago can now be found in 118 countries.

North Carolina ranks in the top 10 states with the most McDonald’s locations at 469, according to Statista. When it comes to the menu, there’s a clear favorite among NC Mickey D’s fans, according to a recent analysis by Bet Carolina.

Based on search result data from April 2023 to April 2024, the most popular choice in the Tar Heel state is the iconic Big Mac. Anyone else remember the commercial jingle from the 70s? “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onion on a sesame seed bun.”

The Big Mac first hit the menu in a Pennsylvania location in 1967 before becoming available across the U.S. the next year. At that time, it cost just 45 cents. Oh, the days.

The chain’s most popular product nationally, it’s fries, came in second in North Carolina. According to the stat experts at Zippia, they estimate McDonald’s sells about 9 million pounds of fries each day.

Below are the top five favored items by North Carolina McDonald’s customers, according to the report.

Rank

Menu Item

#1

Big Mac

#2

French Fries

#3

Chicken McNuggets

#4

Premium Roast Coffee

#5

McChicken

By the looks of it, the classics prevail in the state with a jolt of caffeine in the mix. McDonald’s premium roast coffee was the only beverage to rank as a favorite in North Carolina.

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