Arch Deluxe

Product description

The Arch Deluxe was a quarter pound of beef on a split-top potato flour sesame seed bun, topped with a circular piece of peppered bacon, leaf lettuce, tomato, American cheese, onions, ketchup, and Dijonnaise (a portmanteau of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) sauce.

History

In response to the demographic trend of longer lifespans and an expanding older market, and to shed its child-centered image, McDonald's made a conscious decision to attempt to market its food to a more adult audience. Rather than change its existing menu items or marketing strategy, the company decided to create a new line of sandwiches with what would hopefully be perceived as more sophisticated ingredients. It commissioned Executive Chef Andrew Selvaggio to create the Deluxe line of burgers including the Fish Filet Deluxe, Grilled Chicken Deluxe, Crispy Chicken Deluxe, and the flagship Arch Deluxe.

The Arch Deluxe was first tested as a "Taste of the Month" burger in October 1995 at McDonald's restaurants in Canada. Afterwards, the Arch Deluxe was officially released in May 1996 in one of the most expensive advertising campaigns to date. Customers were dissuaded, however, by the high price, which ranged from US$2.09 up to US$2.49 (equivalent to $ in ), and unconventional ads, and consumer groups were upset by the higher caloric content. The brand was still sold at select restaurants during 1998 and 1999. On August 18, 2000, the Arch Deluxe was finally discontinued, and is no longer found at McDonald's stores.

McDonald's is estimated to have spent over US$300 million (equivalent to $ million in ) on the research, production, and marketing for the Arch Deluxe. The company stated in 2003 that some of its initial research into adult marketing was reused in the development of its successful line of salads.

References

References

1. Cronin, Jeff. (May 3, 1996). "McDonald's Targets Americans' Hearts". [[CSPI]].
2. (19 September 1996). "Chief of McDonald's Defends Arch Deluxe to Franchisees". [[The New York Times]].
3. Taylor, Kate. (January 3, 2018). "McDonald's is bringing back one of its most expensive failures — with one major difference". [[Business Insider]].
4. McGrath, Jane. "5 Failed McDonald's Menu Items". [[HowStuffWorks]].
5. Glass, Jeremy. (2021-07-23). "The Arch Deluxe Was a Hell of a Burger. It Was Also McDonald's Most Expensive Flop.". Eater.
6. Grant, Charley. (November 15, 2019). "There Isn't Enough Special Sauce to Win the Burger Wars". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
7. Bock, Wally. (March 17, 2003). "McDonald's: When the Passion is Gone, the Profits are Over". MondayMemo.com.