McDonald's Restaurants Testing Made-To-Order "Gilroy Garlic Fries" in San Francisco Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new flavor of French fries – Gilroy Garlic Fries – are currently being tested in McDonald's restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using a purée made with world-famous garlic from Gilroy, California -- the Garlic Capital of the World – the fries are being served in four restaurants in the South Bay.

The new fries are made-to-order in McDonald's kitchens where restaurant employees toss French fries in stainless steel bowls with a purée mix that includes ingredients, such as chopped Gilroy garlic and olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley and a pinch of salt. The garlic fries are part of a trend at McDonald's to experiment with regional flavors and food on its menu.

McDonald's French fries are one of the most-iconic items on the menu. The fries are made with North American-grown, premium potatoes – including Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Blazer Russet, Ivory Russet, Umatilla Russet and Shepody. Once suppliers harvest the potatoes, they are partially fried and flash frozen. Once they arrive at the restaurant, they are cooked in a Canola oil blend and flavorings and served crispy and hot. McDonald's French fries have zero grams of trans fat per labeled serving.

The garlic in McDonald's new Gilroy Garlic Fries is grown in the San Joaquin Valley in Gilroy, California, approximately 80 miles south of San Francisco and nicknamed "The Garlic Capital of the World."  The fourth-generation, family-owned Christopher Ranch in Gilroy is the largest garlic production operation in the United States and grows the garlic used in the Gilroy Garlic Fries.  

"As many people know, McDonald's is committed to listening to our customers as seen by All Day Breakfast," said Chef Michael Haracz, Manager of Culinary Innovation at McDonald's USA. "We're proud of the work done by local franchisees and the regional team to create this menu item with locally-sourced garlic and we look forward to introducing Gilroy Garlic Fries to our customers in the Bay Area."

"The response from our customers has been very positive," said Nick Vergis, Co-op President, San Francisco Bay Area. "We enjoy giving our customers options and bringing this local flavor to our world famous French fries."   

Pending positive customer feedback, the Gilroy Garlic Fries will be available at nearly 250 McDonald's restaurants across the San Francisco Bay Area in August. 

About Greater Bay Area McDonald's Restaurants
The Greater Bay Area McDonald's Cooperative is comprised of individuals who own and operate McDonald's restaurants in the 15-county Bay Area region. Local McDonald's owner/operators are committed to their communities, supporting programs including Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Bay Area, Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco and Ronald McDonald House at Mission Bay, Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles serving Santa Clara County and Contra Costa County, and the RMHC Scholarship program. Follow McDonald's of the Greater Bay Area on Twitter @McD_BayArea for up-to-date information, announcements and prize giveaways.  

SOURCE McDonald's of the Greater Bay Area