McDonald's uses several specific potato varieties for their fries, primarily the Russet Burbank, along with others like Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet, and Shepody, chosen for their ability to become crispy outside and fluffy inside. While these core types are common in the US and Canada, McDonald's sources potatoes locally where possible, using varieties like Innovator in places like Australia and the UK, ensuring consistency in flavour and texture.
100 Circle Farms' Story
100 Circle Farms grows potatoes in circles so big they're visible from space. Then our trusted processor, Lamb Weston, cuts them into fries at 70 miles per hour.
Whole potatoes are the only potatoes we use for our Fries. From the Russet Burbank to the Shepody, these are long potatoes that can be cut to make extra-long Fries. These whole potatoes are washed, peeled, cut, prepared and frozen.
Our French Fries are made from real, whole Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes. They're a special kind of potatoes - because they're long enough to make our extra-long Fries.
Grown by farmers in NSW, QLD, SA and VIC*. Freshly cut, chilled and delivered to restaurants within 10 days of harvest. We like our fries and hash browns fluffy on the inside, crunchy on the outside. That's why we use potato varieties like Russet Burbank, Innovator and Russet Ranger.
Our World Famous Fries® are always made from whole potatoes.
Our suppliers peel, cut, blanch and par fry quality potatoes before freezing them and shipping them to our restaurants, where they're prepared into the hot, crispy fries you know and love.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
The most common potatoes we use for McDonald's fries include the Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody—varieties known for producing a flavorful fry that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Five Guys has by far the least healthy fries in our study, while KFC is the fifth least healthy, with significantly fewer calories and lower saturated fat than Five Guys fries. French Fries have high salt and fat levels, which can tip an already unhealthy fast-food main into the danger zone.
Yes, Wendy's fries are made from 100% real potatoes - specifically Russet Burbank variety. They're notable in the fast-food industry for using fresh, never-frozen potatoes that are peeled and cut in-restaurant daily.
Now that the sting of miracle french fries has passed, you may be wondering, “But what about the fries?” As we mentioned before dimethylpolysiloxane (or PDMS) is the silicone compound McDonald's uses in its french fries to prevent the oil from foaming.
McCain, a cherished Canadian supplier, plays a vital role in our system by collaborating closely with On our world famous fries and hash browns. Together we focus on building resilience in the food supply chain. It's really beneficial for McDonald's fries to come from Canadian farmers and Canadian production plans.
Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt.
Good news - our fries and hash browns come from 100% real, natural potato. Our suppliers, McCain and Simplot, both have a policy of no genetically modified potatoes in any of their products. Wondering how we get our fries to be so consistently golden? The secret is a natural, corn-derived dextrose solution.
MacKenzie Schultz agrees, calling Ore-Ida a solid "McDonald's fry dupe!" The "Extra Crispy" billing isn't a fib, MacKenzie Schultz verifies. They follow through on the promise of "having the luxury of having fast food fries in the freezer," according to the sous chef. "And who wouldn't want that?!"
Bill Gates owns a farm that supplies potatoes to McDonald's, but not all McDonald's french fries come from his land: 100 Circles Farm: Gates' investment firm, Cascade Investments, owns this 14,500-acre farm in Washington state that supplies potatoes to McDonald's.
Wendy's takes the title of the unhealthiest fast food restaurant. A Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty hits about 2,160 calories, 54 grams of saturated fat and 3,400 mg. of sodium, exceeding most daily limits in one sitting.
You can thank chemicals for that. After the fries are cut, they get covered in sugar so they are all the same color. Then, they're coated in sodium acid pyrophosphate to keep them from turning gray when frozen. These are the McDonald's secret menu items you never knew about.
“Even a small amount of french fries, less than one serving in the week, is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.” “When you fry the potatoes, the energy content — calories — increases because of the fat they absorb.
Every McDonald's fry you eat is made from one special kind of potato: The Russet Burbank. It's extra long, tough to grow, and extremely prone to blemishes.
Jumping right into it, Five Guys has been named the most unhealthiest -- the regular Five Guys Style fries.
Here are the seven healthiest snacks on McDonald's menu, according to our trusty nutritionist.
The countries with the most saturated fat
There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but ultra-processed items like sugary drinks, processed meats (bacon, hot dogs), deep-fried foods (fries), and refined snacks (donuts, chips, sugary cereals) consistently top lists due to high sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. These items offer little nutritional value while increasing risks for chronic diseases.