Mcdonald's Brings Back Fried Apple Pie for America's 250Th Celebration
WHO:
AP News - McDonald’s is the company bringing back fried apple pies.
ABC News - Litton Cochran, a McDonald’s franchisee in Tennessee, developed the original fried apple pie.
WHAT:
Fox Business - McDonald’s described the fried apple pie as "a fan-favorite and bona fide national treasure made for slowing down and savoring the season."
Fox Business - Eric Cochran, McDonald’s Owner/Operator, stated, "There are certain things that just take you back – and the Fried Apple Pie is one of them. It’s something that people love and remember from growing up."
Fox Business - Eric Cochran also mentioned, "When Ray Kroc was trying to come up with a dessert for McDonald’s, my Grandad, Litton Cochran, suggested a Fried Apple Pie as a classic that people would love."
AP News - McDonald’s is bringing back fried apple pies for the first time in more than three decades.
ABC News - Fried apple pies will be available at most U.S. restaurants for a limited time starting June 23.
AP News - McDonald’s fried apple pie contains 230 calories, which is 10 more calories than the baked version.
AP News - There are 130 members in the Facebook group “Bring Back the Original McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie.”
AP News - McDonald’s serves 170 million American-grown apples every year at its U.S. stores.
AP News - A giant fried apple pie, 35 feet tall, is being installed on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois.
WHERE:
AP News - The giant fried apple pie will be located on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, near McDonald’s Chicago headquarters.
WHEN:
AP News - The fried apple pies will be available starting June 23.
AP News - The giant apple pie will remain in place until July 4.
WHY:
AP News - McDonald’s is honoring America’s 250th birthday with the return of fried apple pies.
HOW:
Fox Business - The fried apple pie started as a family recipe in the 1960s, created by East Tennessee Owner/Operator Litton Cochran.
AP News - The fried apple pie was originally introduced in 1968 and was served in a cardboard sleeve.
(UPDATED June 17, 2026 06:44 UTC)
McDonald's is celebrating its beloved fried apple pie, calling it "a fan-favorite and bona fide national treasure made for slowing down and savoring the season." Eric Cochran, an Owner/Operator at McDonald's, reminisced about how the pie takes people back to their childhood, noting that it was originally suggested by his grandfather, Litton Cochran, when Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert in the 1960s. This iconic treat began as a family recipe, crafted by Litton in East Tennessee, and has since become a classic that many cherish.
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(UPDATED June 16, 2026 20:13 UTC)
McDonald’s is making a nostalgic return by bringing back its fried apple pies for the first time in over thirty years, a treat originally developed by franchisee Litton Cochran in Tennessee. These delicious pies, which contain 230 calories, will be available at most U.S. locations starting June 23, and to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, a giant 35-foot fried apple pie is being installed on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, where it will remain until July 4. Interestingly, there’s a Facebook group with 130 members dedicated to bringing back the original fried apple pie, highlighting the enduring love for this classic dessert.