Part 7/10:
In subsequent years, concerns regarding trans fats prompted McDonald’s to reformulate their frying oil yet again. By 2007, they switched to a different oil, further adapting their recipe for health-conscious consumers, albeit still sparking debate about whether these fries could ever be deemed “healthy.”
A Legacy of Competition
The iconic status of McDonald's fries led to what some call the "Great French Fry War" of the late 1990s. Competitors like Burger King and Wendy's attempted to dethrone McDonald's by introducing their unique fries. Despite their efforts and much fanfare—such as Burger King offering free fries—the reality was that consumer preference rarely shifted. Surveys showed that no competing brand could quite rival the universal appeal of McDonald's fries.