McDonald's is about to give American customers its biggest burger ever, and the wait is nearly over. The Big Arch - a towering double-patty sandwich that has already earned a devoted following in Europe and Canada - is expected to land on U.S. menus around March 3, 2026.
The Big Arch has been years in the making. McDonald's first introduced the concept in late 2023, making it the brand's first new permanent, worldwide menu addition since Chicken McNuggets launched in 1983. It rolled out internationally through 2024 and 2025, appearing in Canada, Portugal, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom before McDonald's turned its attention to the American market.
The sandwich features two beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, slivered onions, lettuce, and pickles on a poppy- and sesame-seed bun. The burger also includes a signature Big Arch sauce, described as a more tomatoey cousin of the classic Big Mac sauce, and weighs in at 14 ounces. At approximately 1,057 calories, it carries nearly double the calorie count of a standard Big Mac.
The Big Arch is expected to cost around $10 - a premium price point that reflects McDonald's broader push upmarket as the chain tries to attract diners willing to spend more for a more substantial meal.
In the United Kingdom, where the Big Arch debuted as a limited-time item before being made permanent in January 2026, McDonald's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ben Fox called it a burger that has "earned its permanent place on the menu alongside the Big Mac."
Early reviews from international customers have been mixed. Some praised the bold flavors, while others called it "very onion forward" and noted it was "the messiest burger I've ever had." Most reviewers called it "decent" overall.
The U.S. rollout follows a string of recent McDonald's menu launches, including a Hot Honey McCrispy, a Hot Honey Snack Wrap, and the seasonal return of the Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. McDonald's has not yet made an official public announcement confirming the March 3 date, but food bloggers and industry insiders have widely reported the launch timeline based on internal documents and distributor communications.
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