Why Only Some McDonald’s Serve Biscuits and Gravy

by: Nini
May 10, 2025

source: McDonald’s

I have a confession to make about my final road trip through the South. I was on a road trip through Tennessee. It was not quite 8 a.m., and my stomach was growling. Of course, I had to stop at a McDonald’s — because we all dream of just a wee bit of fast-food love when we’re bleary-eyed and 50 percent along to the next place. I walked up to the counter, ready for the usual breakfast counter perps. Then — like a golden, homemade gift from the biscuit gods — I saw it: biscuits and gravy. Real, scratch-style biscuits. Thick, creamy sausage gravy. A Southern hug in food form.

Now here’s the thing. I live up north, and the McDonald’s where I live? Nowhere is this rich, buttery fusion even mentioned on the menu. Which got me to wondering: Why is it that only some of the McDonald’s restaurants near me carry this breakfast favorite? Why is it I can’t get McDonald’s biscuits and gravy everywhere?

Well, let’s dig in.

What Exactly Are McDonald’s Biscuits and Gravy?

So before we get into the “why not,” let’s address the “what.”

At McDonald’s, the biscuits and gravy — if you can even find them — are a warm breakfast option featuring a fluffy buttermilk biscuit (about half the time made fresh in the store!) sauced with a delicious gravy made from sausage. Gravy is typically white, creamy and peppery, often with small pieces of seasoned pork sausage. It’s as old-school Southern as it gets. Think Sunday mornings at grandma’s. Comfort food at its finest.

And McDonald’s version? It’s surprisingly sturdy for a fast-food place. You realize some locations even bake the biscuits from scratch daily, which ensures a homey feel that’s unusual for a chain better known for its Egg McMuffins and Big Macs.

So Why Don’t All McDonald’s Have It?

Here’s the kicker. McDonald’s biscuits and gravy aren’t on every menu for one reason, and that’s regional demand.

Yep. It’s all about location.

It is widely accepted as a traditional staple in the American South — where biscuits and gravy are not just comfort food, they are almost a rite of passage. McDonald’s franchises in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas understand their market. People there were raised on scratch biscuits and velvety sausage gravy. So, these places are serving that expectation.

But up north or out west? Not so much. In a city like Seattle or Boston, biscuits and gravy could be viewed as exotic, or worse, unappealing. McDonald’s is aware of this and plans its regional menus accordingly. That’s because McDonald’s allows local franchise owners some freedom in deciding what to serve based on what sells. If a location is unable to sell a minimum level of an item, it will be removed from the menu.

An additional layer to this is logistics. Some locations make the biscuits fresh every morning (shout-out to those kitchen staff members up at 4 a.m. banging out biscuits). Some simply don’t have the equipment or labor to manage the production of scratch biscuits. So, if you’ve ever wondered why your neighborhood McD’s doesn’t serve biscuits and gravy — it could be because they can’t.

It’s a Southern Thing

And let’s not overlook the cultural tug here, either. Biscuits and gravy is a very Southern breakfast tradition. We’re talking roots that extend generations — probably taking shape because people wanted cheap, filling, stick-to-your-ribs sustenance.

This dish can be found at greasy spoons and gas station diners in the South and fancy brunch menus and, yes, fast-food chains like McDonald’s. If it’s what you grew up on, it’s comfort food. If you didn’t… it could smell like a beige mystery.

So it stands to reason McDonald’s would lean into it in states where there’s nostalgia (and demand). It’s just that it’s part of their hyper-localized strategy — the same kind that makes them sell Spam in Hawaii and poutine in Canadian locations.

Can You Order It or Hack the Menu?

Nice wish, but no. You can’t just walk into any old McDonald’s and ask them to hand-make biscuits and gravy. If they don’t have it on the menu, it’s not something they’ll cobble together in the back. Trust me, I’ve asked. (The look I received from the cashier said it all.)

Your best bet? Turn South, and keep your eye out for McDonald’s. In fact, there’s an ongoing thread on Reddit and foodie blogs where people report the few remaining McDonald’s locations that still serve it — it’s like a secret menu scavenger hunt.

It’s pretty wild to think that a huge chain like McDonald’s is going to have this much regional flavor, but honestly, I’m here for it. There’s something sweet about meandering through the South and knowing you can pluck off a dish that feels a little more “home-cooked” than the usual drive-thru fare.

You should definitely not hesitate and grab this meal if you find it on the menu, haha. I know I would. And snap a photo (because your friends up north will probably never believe you).

And hey — if you’re really missing it and your local spot doesn’t offer it? You may have to take a road trip. Biscuits and gravy are worth the miles.