Gilroy Garlic Fries Expand at McDonald’s Restaurants in Greater Bay Area

Starting today, McDonald’s franchisees are rolling out Gilroy Garlic Fries throughout the Greater Bay Area at participating restaurants.  After a successful test at four McDonald’s restaurants in the South Bay earlier this year, McDonald’s is excited to expand this Bay Area favorite to nearly 240 McDonald’s restaurants. McDonald’s participating restaurants will have a gradual rollout of the new Gilroy Garlic Fries, which will be available by July 27.

This menu item is made-to-order in McDonald’s kitchens where restaurant employees toss French fries in stainless steel bowls with a purée mix of garlic from Gilroy, California as well as other ingredients, including olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley and a pinch of salt.

The garlic in McDonald’s new Gilroy Garlic Fries is grown in the Santa Clara Valley in Gilroy, California, approximately 80 miles south of San Francisco and nicknamed “The Garlic Capital of the World.”  The fourth-generation, family-owned Christopher Ranch in Gilroy is the largest garlic production operation in the United States and grows the garlic used in the Gilroy Garlic Fries. 

McDonald’s French fries are one of the most-iconic items on the menu. The fries are made with North American-grown, premium potatoes – including Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Blazer Russet, Ivory Russet, Umatilla Russet and Shepody. Once suppliers harvest the potatoes, they are partially fried and flash frozen. Once they arrive at the restaurant, they are cooked in a Canola oil blend and served crispy and hot. McDonald’s French fries have zero grams of trans fat per labeled serving.

 “McDonald’s has a long standing history of creativity and innovation. McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries is a unique, regional offering that is tailored to Bay Area tastes,” said Nick Vergis, Co-op President, San Francisco Bay Area. “The innovation of this new menu item is due in large part to our local franchisees and their commitment to providing food our customers want.”