10 Fast Food Items That Were Pulled After Public Backlash
These fast food flops were yanked off menus after sparking major outrage, confusion, or disgust.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Fast food chains love to experiment, but not every creation becomes a classic. Some menu items were so strange, unhealthy, or offensive they triggered major backlash from customers and critics alike. Here are 10 fast food offerings that didn’t survive the storm and disappeared just as quickly as they came.
1. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe (1996)
PatrickRich on Flickr
Marketed as a “grown-up burger,” this premium McDonald’s item flopped hard. Customers found the taste bland and the campaign out of touch. The $100 million marketing push made the failure even more glaring.
2. Burger King Halloween Whopper (2015)
Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons
This burger featured a black bun infused with A1 sauce — great for photos, but not for digestion. It caused widespread panic when customers reported bright green bowel movements.
3. Taco Bell Seafood Salad (1986)
Kake on Flickr
Taco Bell attempted to enter the seafood market — and failed miserably. The idea of lettuce, shrimp, and white fish in a fast-food container grossed people out.
4. KFC Double Down (2010)
Michael Saechang on Wikimedia Commons
Who needs bread when you can use two slabs of fried chicken instead? The Double Down was controversial due to its high sodium and fat content. Critics slammed it as irresponsible, though fans called it indulgent genius.
5. McDonald’s McDLT (1980s)
Jim Ellwanger on Wikimedia Commons
The McDLT came in a two-compartment Styrofoam box — one side hot, one side cold. While the idea was to “keep the hot side hot,” the packaging was environmentally disastrous.
6. Burger King Satisfries (2013)
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Satisfries were marketed as a healthier alternative to regular fries, but customers weren’t buying it. They cost more, tasted worse, and failed to justify the hype.
7. Pizza Hut Priazzo (1985)
Adam Kuban on Flickr
This deep-dish pizza-meets-lasagna creation was so thick it took over 10 minutes to cook. Customers didn’t want to wait, and staff didn’t want to prep it. Sales fizzled, and the Priazzo quietly disappeared.
8. Wendy’s Frescata Sandwiches (2006)
Ceir Junior on Unsplash
Wendy’s attempted to compete with Subway using deli-style sandwiches. However, customers came to Wendy’s for burgers, not cold cuts. The slow service and high prices sealed its fate.
9. Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino (2017)
Michelle oshen on Flickr
Bright, glittery, and loaded with sugar, this drink was an Instagram hit — but a barista’s nightmare. Staff complained about the sticky mess and endless prep time.
10. McDonald’s Hula Burger (1960s)
Boshoku on Unsplash
This meatless option featured grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun, catering to Catholics who abstain from meat on Fridays. However, people weren’t thrilled about hot fruit as a main course.