Overview
- McDonald's Germany removed the classic McRib from its regular menu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, ending the sandwich's uninterrupted run in the country since 1989.
- The company launched a limited McRib Sweet Heat variant with a sweet-spicy chili sauce as a short-term replacement and has left open the possibility of future one-off promotions.
- McDonald's presents the change as part of its broader 'McDonald's > NEXT' strategy that prioritizes more protein-rich options, smaller portions and lower-calorie items, following earlier 2026 rollouts such as McPlant and a new McChicken line.
- Fans have responded with multiple online petitions and vocal social-media reaction seeking to keep or restore the classic McRib, while some outlets and nutrition experts note the switch reduces menu redundancy more than it limits choice.
- The McRib is a pressed pork patty with barbecue sauce, pickles and onions, a product created in the early 1980s and kept year-round in Germany and Luxembourg even though it is typically a seasonal item elsewhere.