The biggest change made to the McDonald's menu in 50 years came into effect this week.

The fast food chain has introduced brioche buns, meltier cheese, grilled onions and a new grilling technique for patties on all its burgers in Ireland.

On The Hard Shoulder today, reporter Henry McKean, who worked for McDonalds in 1996, asked, "If it’s not broke, why fix it?”

Mcdonald's head of menu Thomas O’Neill told him that the changes made were subtle but would combine to make a better taste experience overall.

“We’ve made a number of small improvements to all burgers that add up to make a really significant difference to the flavour,” he said.

“We now have new grill settings that get a tighter seer on the beef resulting in hotter, juicier beef patties for maximum flavour.

“We also have a new process now where we’re adding onions on top of the patties after they are cooked and that has a much more savoury flavour and adds a charred flavour to the onions too.”

Newbridge in County Kildare McDonalds 04/06/2020. (Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie)

Mr O’Neill said other changes will be made too.

“We have brand new brioche style recipe buns that we’re going to toast for that extra longer period just until we get them hotter as well,” he said.

“For Big Mac lovers out there, we will be using fresh lettuce straight from the fridge for that extra snap, crunch and clean taste.”

Temple Bar

McDonald's Temple Bar manager Evan McCracken said the changes have gone down well with his customers.

“I think it’s been positive so far,” he said.

“A lot of our customers, especially regulars, can tell the difference straight away - especially with items like the Big Mac and hamburger.

“My favourite is the Big Mac.”

Unnecessary

One McDonalds customer told Henry he did not think the changes were necessary.

“The one thing with McDonald's is you know what you’re going to get that’s why we go there; we don’t go for a fine dining experience,” he said.

“People don’t like change. I guess places have to move with the times, but I think McDonald's should be McDonald's.”

The first McDonald's came to Ireland in 1977 where it now has some 95 restaurants today.

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Main image: McDonald's on Grand Parade in Cork. Image: Andy Gibson / Alamy Stock Photo