McDonald’s to add chicken wings across U.S.

OAK BROOK — Oak Brook-based McDonald’s Corp. plans to introduce bone-in chicken wings across the U.S. next month as Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson revamps the restaurant chain’s domestic menu.

The Big Mac seller will start the Mighty Wings rollout Sept. 9, have the items in all U.S. stores by Sept. 24 and keep them on sale until the end of November, Ofelia Casillas, a McDonald’s spokeswoman, said in an e-mail today. The company tested the wings in Atlanta and Chicago.

Thompson has been overhauling McDonald’s menu to lure consumers and boost sales in its home market, where it has about 14,100 locations. While the chain recently removed Angus third- pounder burgers from its bill of fare, it also has added egg- white breakfast sandwiches and chicken McWraps. Competitors including Popeyes, owned by AFC Enterprises Inc., and Wendy’s Co. also have introduced new chicken items.

McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, rose 0.8 percent to $95.87 at 1:19 p.m. in New York. The shares gained 7.8 percent this year through Aug. 23, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index has advanced 17 percent.