McDonald's fans rejoice as popular breakfast item returns to US menus after four years

McDonald's has brought back bagels to its breakfast menu.

The fan favorites are not yet nationwide but they are in at least 1,200 restaurants - and could return to all 14,300 US outlets later this year. 

Bagels were first introduced to McDonald's in late 2019 but were cut  soon after when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 during the pandemic.

Since then, fans on Twitter, Reddit and Facebook have been calling for them to return. They are so popular a 13,000-member Facebook group has sprung up called Where's my McDonald's Bagel? 

Customers in  California, Pennsylvania, Nashville, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, West Virginia, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama plus New York  - the nation's bagel capital - have seen them return so far.

McDonald's is bringing back breakfast bagels in four varieties, including the sausage variant pictured here

Facebook groups have sprung up calling for the return of bagels at McDonald's

Bagel fans have been posting memes about McDonald's bagels

There are four varieties, which all feature egg and cheese. Three are with meat - bacon, sausage or steak - and one that is just the egg and cheese. The steak bagel adds grilled onions. 

Prices vary between restaurants. The bacon and sausage bagels are selling for $4.69 in some outlets. The steak is dearer at $5.39.

Jared Hefenfinger, an admin in the Facebook group, told Inc.com:  'People in the group are sharing their local franchisees' contact information and saying, 'Hey, send out messages or call these people.'

'I can kind of tell you where they're going to be next, based on where the group is adding members from. I messaged one of the franchisees in Minnesota. 

'He told me that in the last three weeks, they've gotten more calls than they have in the last three years.'

It is not clear if the Facebook group was key to getting McDonald's to bring them back, or it simply played a role. A likely explanation is that McDonald's had plans to bring bagesl back and the enthusiasm from the group led to this being sped up.

Fans reacted with joy on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

'McDonald's bagels are back… the world is healing,' one customer tweeted.

'Taking my official victory lap in my 4-year war against McDonald's. Bagels are BACK,' another posted.

McDonald's has a total of four different types of breakfast bagel - steak, bacon plus a meat-free egg and cheese version. There is also a sausage version pictured higher up 

Bagels were first introduced to McDonald's in late 2019 but were cut soon after when bosses simplified the menu in spring 2020 during the pandemic

McDonald's said: 'Our fans' love for McDonald's breakfast runs deep, and we love to see the passion they have for some of their favorite menu items.

'We're always listening to their cravings and taking their feedback into account as we make menu decisions.

'Though bagel sandwiches are not available nationwide, they are a regional offering and currently available at participating McDonald's in several markets.'

McDonald's also announced on March 26 that it plans to start selling fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts nationwide by the end of 2026.