# McRib's 45-year cycle of farewell tours that never stick

> McDonald's keeps saying goodbye to its boneless pork sandwich, but it keeps coming back. The latest return is October 2026.
- Title: McRib's 45-year cycle of farewell tours that never stick
- Summary: McDonald's keeps saying goodbye to its boneless pork sandwich, but it keeps coming back. The latest return is October 2026. McDonald's McRib returned to…
- Keywords: mcdonalds, mcrib, limited time offer, menu item, fast food, nostalgia marketing, business, technology, McRib's, 45-year, cycle, farewell
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-mcrib-history-behind-the-sandwich
- Author: Erin McDowell
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:52:34.8+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mcdonalds, mcrib, limited time offer, menu item, fast food, nostalgia marketing, business, technology
## McRib's farewell tour playbook
In two thousand twenty two, McDonald's announced the McRib was heading out on a farewell tour, suggesting it might be gone for good. But the sandwich returned in November two thousand twenty three.
## The pattern repeats every year
The McRib has made similar returns every year since two thousand twenty three. McDonald's announced it will release the McRib again in October in select cities.
## Born from a chicken shortage
After McNuggets were introduced in nineteen seventy nine, franchisees demanded another hot product. A nationwide chicken shortage left some franchises without McNuggets, so McDonald's chef René Arend created the McRib.
## Inspired by South Carolina barbecue
Arend was inspired to create the McRib after a trip to South Carolina, where he ate local barbecue.
## Debut and early disappearance
The McRib officially debuted in test markets in nineteen eighty one and expanded to more restaurants in nineteen eighty two.
## Pop culture and limited success
The Simpsons gave the McRib a permanent place in pop culture with a two thousand three episode titled Ribwich.
## Thirty million sold in one year
The McRib found success as a limited time offer. In two thousand seven, McDonald's sold thirty million sandwiches. In two thousand eight, devoted McRib fan Aaron Klein started the McRib Location website using crowdsourced tips.
## Pandemic comeback boosts sales
In two thousand twenty, the McRib returned to menus nationwide for the first time in eight years. The launch proved successful and boosted sales that were declining amid the COVID nineteen pandemic.

> There's nothing quite like the taste of the McRib. To our customers, it's become more than a delicious, saucy moment … it's a season.
## October twenty twenty six return
Starting on October twenty seventh at select locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas, fans can purchase a McRib for a limited time.
## Key takeaway

McDonald's McRib returned to select US cities on October twenty-seventh after multiple farewell tours, continuing its pattern of limited releases and comebacks since its debut forty five years ago.