McDonald’s 'Frork' A Terrifyingly Necessary Sign of the Times

OAK BROOK, IL — If you were wondering what crazy thing McDonald’s would do next to change up its image, wonder no more. McDonald’s has created the “frork,” a plastic French fry fork designed to help you scoop up those lingering bits of ketchup and other condiments. Waste not, want not.

McDonald’s announced the frork —which will be available in limited quantities May 5— in a parody infomercial that touted it as a tool to be used with its new signature sandwiches.

The announcer describes the frork as “a utensil that sort of looks and works like a fork, but with French fries,” and that’s exactly what it is: a plastic handle with a french fry sticking out of the end of it (yes, you have to put the fries in yourself). After advertising the signature sandwiches, which feature lots of creative toppings, he gives a cautionary tale: “There’s a hitch you just can’t ditch: the topping dropping.” Enter the “frork,” just in the nick of time.

The frork enters just in the nick of time for McDonald’s too. The company is in the midst of a huge brand overhaul that includes such bold (and controversial) moves as new uniforms for McDonald’s employees and the addition of Minute Maid Slushies. McDonald’s is also getting rid of Hi-C, a decision that devastated a number of users on social media. The fast food company has struggled to keep up with companies like Sonic, who have shown more growth in recent years.

Of course social media had a few things to say about the frork. One user said it was “today’s indication that society is doomed.”

During this era of “fake news,” it’s easy to think that the frork is a badly timed April Fools’ Day joke, but the "fundamentally superfluous" utensil is, in fact, a real thing. Select stores will have free frorks with the purchase of a signature sandwich on May 5, according to USA Today. Lucky customers can also receive a free frork if they are among the first 100 to call the number from the infomercial: 1-844-McD-FRORK. 5,000 callers will receive a coupon for a McDonald’s Signature sandwich.

Whether the frork is a sign of a traditional brand changing to keep up in the flagging fast food industry or a result of humans trying to automate what our fingers have done for decades, it’s clear that McDonald’s is really trying to make use of everything it can.

>>Image and video via McDonald's YouTube channel

Do you like where McDonald's is going with this? What changes should the company make instead of adding the "frork?"

Let us know in the comments.