McDonald's customers across the UK have voiced a remarkably unified demand following the fast-food giant's teasing reveal of a new menu for 2026. The chain sparked a social media frenzy after publishing a cryptic coded message, urging Brits to decipher its meaning.
The Cryptic Code and the 2026 Secret Menu Reveal
The fast-food chain set the internet alight on December 30, 2025, with a puzzling post. Savvy online sleuths quickly got to work, cracking the numerical code to uncover the hidden announcement. The decoded message read: "The Secret Menu is coming fifth January 2026." This revelation has set a date for the launch of what McDonald's is branding a 'Secret Menu', leaving fans speculating wildly about what items might be included.
Overwhelming Demand for Two Discontinued Favourites
While the contents of the secret offering remain under wraps, the social media response has made one thing abundantly clear: UK diners are overwhelmingly nostalgic for two specific items. The loudest calls are for the permanent return of the Chicken Legend burger and the Breakfast Bagel.
Comment sections were flooded with demands for the Chicken Legend, a fan-favourite that was first introduced in 2007 and discontinued 15 years later in 2022. The burger featured a crispy fried chicken breast with lettuce and a choice of sauce—such as mayo, BBQ, or spicy salsa—served in a toasted ciabatta bun.
One ardent supporter stated bluntly, "Chicken legend or nothing," while another echoed, "If it isn’t the chicken legend we don't care." A third simply warned, "Better be chicken legend."
The Breakfast Bagel: A Morning Staple Lost to the Pandemic
Equally passionate pleas were made for the beloved Breakfast Bagel, a menu staple for 16 years after its UK introduction in 2004. Its reign ended during the Covid pandemic, much to the dismay of morning customers. The item consisted of a bagel with folded egg, American cheese, a choice of bacon, sausage or steak, and a hollandaise-style sauce.
The loss has been so keenly felt that some customers have switched their allegiance to rival chains. One fan lamented, "We don't care, we just want the breakfast bagel back. I've converted to Greggs breakfast since it was taken off the menu." Another demanded, "Bring Back the Breakfast Bagel," with a second adding, "No breakfast bagel, no care."
As the countdown to January 5, 2026 begins, the pressure is on for McDonald's to listen to this clear customer feedback. Whether the 'Secret Menu' will cater to these widespread demands or introduce entirely new concepts remains the biggest question for fast-food fans nationwide.
