McDonald’s Celebrates 50 Years of Breakfast with Special Deals and Menu Items

CHICAGO, Ill. — McDonald's is marking 50 years of breakfast service with exciting new offerings and discounts starting March 2. This promotion celebrates the introduction of the iconic Egg McMuffin, which first hit the menu in 1975.

The chain announced its plans on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of breakfast in its history. ‘Whether it was the melty cheese, the freshly cracked egg — now 100% cage-free in the U.S. — or the perfectly toasted and buttered English muffin, this simple yet delicious sandwich struck a chord with America,’ McDonald’s stated.

Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, emphasized the importance of breakfast to the company’s identity. ‘At McDonald’s, breakfast isn’t just a meal; it’s a cherished tradition and cornerstone of our brand. Our fans know they can always count on us for a one-of-a-kind breakfast experience anchored in great value and high-quality ingredients,’ he said.

The inspiration behind the Egg McMuffin can be traced back to Herb Peterson, who created the sandwich in 1971 as a portable version of eggs Benedict. ‘When I watched my father introduce this idea to Ray Kroc, we could not have anticipated it would become the foundation for the renowned McDonald’s breakfast menu,’ shared David Peterson, Herb’s son and a McDonald’s owner/operator.

To kick off the celebration, McDonald’s will host National Egg McMuffin Day on March 2, offering fans the chance to purchase an Egg McMuffin or Sausage McMuffin with Egg for just $1. However, customers will need to download the McDonald’s app to access this deal.

From March 3 to March 30, customers can order two McMuffin sandwiches through the McDelivery service for a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) special on both the Sausage McMuffin with Egg and Egg McMuffin.

Additionally, the fast-food giant announced the nationwide rollout of its bagel sandwiches, including the Bacon, Egg & Cheese and Steak, Egg & Cheese varieties.

Moreover, McDonald’s is expanding its partnership with Krispy Kreme, making their doughnuts available at participating locations. Starting immediately, customers in New York City can find these fresh pastries in select McDonald’s restaurants, with over half of the chain’s U.S. locations expected to serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts by the end of 2025 and full nationwide availability anticipated by the close of 2026.