The sauce will be a mobile app exclusive that McDonald’s hopes will also drive adoption of its SMS notifications subscription. The move underscored the growing importance of SMS outreach and mobile ordering in the fast food business.
McDonald’s has offered Szechuan Sauce three times before. It was first offered in 1998 and was related to a promotion for Disney’s animated Mulan movie. The most notable time, however, came in 2017. It resulted in shortages and outraged fans and centered around a "Rick & Morty" episode.