McDonald's debuts pretzel burger

The Pretzelnator came out of a crowd-sourced contest for ideas in Germany.

By Kim Peterson Apr 30, 2012 1:42PM
Credit: © 2010-2012 McDonald's Caption: McDonald's Lauginator Burger with Pretzel bunIf McDonald's (MCD) put you in charge of creating a new burger, what would you make?

For Germans, the answer was simple: a burger with ham and a pretzel bun. The company invited fans in Germany to submit recipes for a new burger and then vote on the best one. The gimmick was a hit: People sent in 330,000 recipes and voted 5 million times.

McDonald's will sell the top five recipes across its 1,415 German restaurants, starting with the pretzel-bun favorite, called the Pretzelnator. Once you get past the unusual bun, you'll find American and Italian cheeses, a burger patty, ham, lettuce, onions and mayonnaise, the New York Daily News reports.

The other four recipes will be available for only one week each. They include a sandwich featuring Italian-style breaded chicken and a burger with three patties, bacon and barbecue sauce. Hey, the last one sounds awfully American, doesn't it?

McDonald's is taking a bit of a culinary leap with one of the burgers. It's a double patty with chorizo sausage, curried chili sauce, jalapeños and Asian Salad mix, the News reports. Oof, just reading about that gave me heartburn.

McDonald's is one of several companies turning to crowd sourcing for product ideas. Potato-chip maker Terra has asked fans for flavor ideas, and Nestlé added a peanut-butter Kit Kat to its lineup on the advice of UK customers, the News reports.

So what do you think about these new burgers? Would you try the Pretzelnator?

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51Comments
flintlock
Apr 30, 2012 2:25PM
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Along with a good brew, I'd try one.
BiPo
Apr 30, 2012 6:46PM
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I think the real story here is not the fact that McDonald's is using a pretzel bun and ham (neither are unique in the hamburger business), but that McDonald's (and others like them) are working hard to get the consumer involved in developing products that are more "unique" and less "cookie cutter".  McDonald's, along with dozens of other giants, have come to the realization that, in order to move forward, they have to be more creative and flexible.
Toldin
May 1, 2012 10:07AM
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must... have... pretzel... burger  <glazed eyes, slight drool> 
Richard Reimer
Apr 30, 2012 6:16PM
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Hope they bring them to our shores, I like the pretzel buns and they are better for you than bread, not much but better.
not new at this
May 1, 2012 9:37AM
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Actually pretzel rolls are pretty readily available in the US especially in the Cincinnati area (large German influence) They are good and the burger sounds rich, heavy (true to the German tradition) and good. I would try it.

 

sweetsweat
Apr 30, 2012 2:43PM
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I love a good soft pretzel.  I wish they would sell that here in the U.S. too, for a week.  I'd like to try one.  Instead of mayo, though, I would prefer mustard, or dijon mustard.
Villum20
Apr 30, 2012 7:01PM
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It won't matter until i can order a beer with my pretzel burger. 
lheartsl7
May 1, 2012 11:52AM
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I sure would try it.... yumm... bring it to the us....
Stace6617
May 1, 2012 1:04PM
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I would love to try the Pretzelnator! Please bring it here.

Old F391
Apr 30, 2012 3:51PM
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Worldover

You seem to be devoid of brain cells, And should not be posting junk
No one likes a food nanny.

Lewis Tully
May 1, 2012 1:26PM
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Sounds Delish! Bring it over to the US!
Spe587
Apr 30, 2012 7:59PM
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Actually many of the delis where i live serve sandwhiches on 
Pretzle bread, so i don't see this as anything unique or daring. If the pretzle bun they use is as good as my local delis' it would be a definate improvement ove the hamburger bun. 

msbee52
May 1, 2012 1:33PM
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If you've ever had a German pretzel roll, you would eat one of these right now! Tongue out
a s
Apr 30, 2012 5:00PM
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If you have never tried pretzel buns before, you can what I consider to be the best from a bakery in Milwaukee, WI.  I buy them every time I am visiting family to take home.  No joke, these are the best pretzel buns that I have found anywhere.  They are called PRETZILLA.  Check them out.

 

Happy eating

Musilini
Apr 30, 2012 5:43PM
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If McDonalds can serve those pretzel buns as fresh as the German street vendors serve them then the Pretzelnator would be extremely delicious.
dsf0563
Apr 30, 2012 3:23PM
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Not exactly sure what is so "unusual" about the bun as I also serve hamburgers during cookout season on pretzel buns and they are a hit. Not only are there hanburger buns but also pretzel hot dog rolls, pretzel rolls for dinner, etc. Really, you don't need to go to Germany to try these, just visit your local grocery store once in a while.
Powerdonut
May 1, 2012 11:12AM
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Totally making pretzel burgers at home this Friday!
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