Former McDonald's chef reveals the surprising reason why the fast food chain's SALADS are 'so much more expensive' than its burgers

A former McDonald's corporate chef has revealed the real reason the fast-food giant's salads cost more than its burgers. 

Illinois-based Mike Haracz, who worked at the company until 2019, took to TikTok to spill the secrets about the fast-food chain's salads, which were discontinued in 2020. 

He explained that the leafy greens, which cost about $5 or more depending on the toppings you chose, were more expensive than McDonald's burgers, which averaged about $2, because 'salad doesn't last long.'

In a viral video, which has so far amassed more than 23,000 views, Mike detailed why burgers often cost significantly less than salads at fast-food restaurants. 

A former McDonald's corporate chef has revealed the real reason the fast-food giant's salads cost more than its burgers do

Illinois-based Mike Haracz, who worked at the company until 2019, took to TikTok to spill the secrets about the fast-food chain's salads, which were discontinued in 2020

Mike was replying to a comment from a social media user who questioned why salads 'cost $9 and a cooked beef burger costs $1.59'

He captioned the video: 'Former McDonald's corporate chef talks about why salad is so expensive.' 

Mike was replying to a comment from a social media user who questioned why salads 'cost $9 and a cooked beef burger costs $1.59.'

'The biggest reason is that salad doesn't last long and by salad, we are talking about iceberg lettuce, romaine, leafy greens, and things of that nature,' he explained.

Chef Mike noted that beef could preserved by freezing it, but you couldn't extend the shelf life of lettuce.

'You can freeze beef, you can refrigerate beef, for shelf-life extension,' he said, also citing the fragility of lettuce. 

'The same trucks that transport beef also transport lettuce. You can't compound it. You can't crush it. You have to be very delicate with it, or it gets bruised, and people won't buy it,' he said. 

The former McDonald's chef noted that consumers wouldn't purchase lettuce unless it was absolutely perfect, meaning it was much more costly to keep and sell.

'If it looks weird, even though is perfectly fine to eat, people just don't want to buy it.[But with ground meat], you can use a variety of different portions of the animal that are ground so you don't know what it looks like, you can mix fat content and things of that nature,' he explained. 

Chef Mike noted that beef can preserved by freezing it, but you can't extend the shelf life of lettuce

Fast-food lovers flooded the comments section and expressed their shock at learning why the chain had charged so much more

Fast-food lovers flooded the comments section and expressed their shock at learning why the chain had charged so much more. 

One person said: 'We can shorten the supply chains. Vertical farms closer to point of use will extend the useful life of greens.' 

Someone else added: 'Yes, but the keep lettuce on hand for sandwiches. So why does that matter?'

Another user commented: 'I knew it.' 

'Makes so much sense,' a fourth weighed in. 

McDonald's got rid of its salads following the COVID-19 pandemic after the fast-food chain reevaluated its menu. 

Because salad was more costly and the restaurant wanted to streamline its drive-thru operations, McDonald's said goodbye to leafy greens.

Mike often posts about his days at McDonald's, previously revealing why you should avoid visiting the fast-food restaurant before 10.30am as well as how menu items are decided in your region.