McDonald’s Unveils Protein Plus Burgers on Swiggy with Millet Buns and a Nutritional Makeover

McDonald’s India is giving its classic burgers a smart, protein-packed upgrade. In an exclusive partnership with Swiggy, the brand has launched a new Protein Plus range that adds an extra layer of nutrition without taking away from the flavors consumers love. Available only on the Swiggy app from July 24 to August 11, this range is part of McDonald’s growing effort to bridge taste and health through its Real Food Real Good initiative.

Customers across 58 cities in Western and Southern India can now order these burgers under a new section labeled ‘High Protein’ on Swiggy. The cities include major urban hubs like Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Vizag, Surat, and Mysore, making this campaign one of the brand’s most expansive regional launches to date.

At the heart of the Protein Plus innovation is a carefully developed slice that adds 5 grams of protein per burger. Created in collaboration with the Central Food Technological Research Institute, this slice uses soy and pea protein and contains no artificial colours or flavours. It contributes only 34 additional kilocalories while improving the nutritional value of McDonald's vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings alike. The Protein Plus slice has been added to signature favorites such as the McSpicy Premium Veg, McVeggie, McSpicy Paneer, McSpicy Premium Chicken, McChicken, and Masala McEgg.

Adding another layer of innovation to the launch, McDonald’s has introduced Multi-Millet Buns that bring the richness of five nutrient-dense millets to its burgers. Co-created with CFTRI, these buns are high in fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals. They are available as part of multiple burger options including the McAloo Tikki, McChicken, McVeggie, McSpicy Chicken, McCrispy Chicken, and Crispy Veggie Burgers. This makes McDonald’s one of the first mainstream quick-service restaurants in India to offer millet-based buns across such a wide selection of items.

Speaking on the collaboration, Sidharth Bhakoo, Chief Business Officer at Swiggy Food Marketplace, highlighted how modern Indian consumers are increasingly looking for healthier options without giving up on their favorite meals. He explained that the Protein Plus range is designed to meet this growing demand. Bhakoo also emphasized that this campaign is just the beginning of future health-focused collaborations between Swiggy and McDonald’s, hinting at more protein-rich offerings in the months to come.

Swiggy had already begun promoting healthier choices earlier this month by launching a dedicated High Protein category within its app. The inclusion of McDonald’s Protein Plus burgers into this section aligns with the platform’s mission to make nutritious meals more discoverable and accessible to a wider audience.

While fast food has traditionally been seen as indulgent or unhealthy, this move by McDonald’s is part of a broader shift in the Indian QSR space, where brands are increasingly reimagining their menus to suit changing lifestyle needs. With the added protein and millet options, McDonald’s is tapping into a new consumer mindset one that values convenience and flavor but is unwilling to compromise on nutrition.

The limited-time availability of the Protein Plus burgers adds urgency for customers to try the offerings while they last. It also sets the stage for future product development where health and taste can go hand in hand.

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