McDonald's is "following the herd" and field-testing a massive new Angus Third Pounder sandwich in Southern California, CNBC's Jane Wells reported -- burger in hand.
Rivals Burger King and CKE Restaurants have already had such offerings for years. (CKE's Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains gained further notoriety -- and free secondary marketing buzz -- with those racy Paris Hilton carwash ads.)
Why is the world's No. 1 eatery chain following a trend, rather than setting it?
WD Partners executive vice president Dennis Lombardi commented, McDonald's "has had one of the most amazing comebacks" in recent years. Part of that turnaround has hinged on McDonald's focus on healthier offerings such as salads.
One imagines that Mickey D's, once accused of corrupting Americans' dietary habits, would indeed be cautious about launching a delicious new guilty pleasure.