A Brief History of McDonald’s in the UK
McDonald’s has been serving customers in the UK for 52 years, and during that time, the chain has evolved significantly. From its appearance to its menu offerings and the way customers order food, the brand has come a long way.
The first McDonald’s restaurant in the UK opened on November 13, 1974, in Woolwich. Back then, a Big Mac cost just 45p, and a cheeseburger was priced at 21p. While the prices have increased over the years, the variety of options available today is much more extensive. The Egg McMuffin was introduced in 1982, followed by Chicken McNuggets in 1984. These items eventually replaced Onion Nuggets as customer preferences changed.
In 1986, the Happy Meal made its debut, along with the UK’s first drive-thru restaurant. However, it was the 1990s that brought something truly unique to the menu: McPizza.
What Was the McPizza?
In the mid-1990s, McDonald’s tested personal pizzas in the UK. These were 8-inch pizzas divided into four slices and came in three flavors: Cheese, Cheese & Pepperoni, and the Deluxe (cheese, green pepper, onion, pepperoni, and more). The pizzas were part of a sales and product test, sold in some restaurants for a limited period.
Interestingly, these pizzas were launched before the introduction of the power/breakfast/working lunch concept, which allowed city workers to order food to their desks via fax or telephone. Menu options included the personal-sized pizza.
Despite being discontinued, the McPizza still has a loyal fan base. On Reddit, users have praised the pizza, calling it “amazing,” “delicious,” and “one of the best tasting pizzas” they’ve ever had. Many shared fond memories of ordering McPizza from their local McDonald’s, with some even recalling how far they would travel to get one.
Nostalgia for the McPizza
One user, u/LochNessMansterLives, shared: “I used to beg my mum to take me to get McDonald’s pizza. The last McD that had it was 25 minutes away, and I would crave it!!!” Another user, u/PassengerTop2805, said: “Haven’t had it in 30 years, but I can still taste it. It was soooooo good.”
u/DevoALMIGHTY recalled: “This is one of my fondest food memories. My granddad took me to try it, and we went back every week until it was discontinued.” Meanwhile, u/brown_boognish_pants wrote: “Honestly, the pizza was pretty great for what it was. The crust was totally delicious and kind of special… It was surprisingly great.”
The McPizza was also available in the US, where it was introduced slightly earlier in the 1980s. It was eventually discontinued in most American locations, though two stores continued selling it for years. Today, it’s possible to order pizza at the world’s second-largest McDonald’s in Orlando, Florida—but it’s not the same as the original version from the 90s.
Evolution of the McDonald’s Menu
Since the McPizza was discontinued, McDonald’s has introduced various new menu items in the UK. The McFlurry, launched in 2000, has been a huge success, with over 1.7 billion sold in the last 24 years. However, fries remain the most popular item on the menu, generating £12.5 billion in sales over the past 50 years. The Big Mac comes in second, with £1.9 billion in sales, and the Cheeseburger is third, with £1.8 billion.
Key Milestones in McDonald’s UK Timeline
- 1974: McDonald’s first UK restaurant opens on Woolwich High Street. It was the 3,000th McDonald’s worldwide, and over 1,000 American guests attended the opening.
- 1974: A Big Mac cost 45p, and a cheeseburger was 21p.
- 1976: The first TV advert is broadcast in the UK.
- 1978: The first exclusively takeaway restaurant opens in Shepherd’s Bush, London.
- 1982: The Egg McMuffin arrives on the menu.
- 1984: Chicken Nuggets replace Onion Nuggets, reflecting changing tastes.
- 1986: The first Drive-Thru opens in Fallowfield, Manchester, and the Happy Meal is launched.
- Mid-90s: McDonald’s trials personal pizzas in the UK.
- 1994: The power breakfast/working lunch is introduced, including personal-sized pizza.
- 2000: The McFlurry is launched.
- 2021: McDonald’s opens its first net-zero restaurant in Market Drayton, Shropshire.
- 2022: The McPlant, a vegan plant-based burger, is introduced.
Will McPizza Return?
According to McDonald’s website, there are no plans to bring back the McPizza. However, this isn’t the first time nostalgia for old classics has led to disappointment. Fans spent nearly a decade begging for the return of the McRib, only to be let down when it reappeared in October 2024. Changes to the recipe, such as using barbecue sauce on the bun instead of the patty, caused backlash among customers.
Other changes, like modifying the sweet and sour sauce, also sparked controversy. McDonald’s explained that the recipe had a “very minor variation” due to using a contingency supplier in Germany.
Conclusion
McDonald’s has come a long way since its first UK restaurant opened in 1974. While the McPizza may never return, the brand continues to evolve, introducing new menu items and adapting to changing consumer preferences. Whether it’s the McFlurry, fries, or the latest plant-based burger, McDonald’s remains a staple in the UK food scene.
