A pre-application has been filed for a new McDonald's at 3801 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, proposing a restaurant with a drive-thru and 47 parking stalls, with an estimated project value of $1 million. The timeline indicates permit submissions in February and potential construction starting in June, although these dates may change. This development aligns with McDonald's strategic plan, 'Accelerating the Arches,' aiming to expand to over 50,000 restaurants worldwide by 2027. The proposal comes amid the closure of several Jack In The Box locations in Tacoma, highlighting contrasting trends in the fast-food market. McDonald's has seen a rise in chicken product sales, prompting menu innovations like the Chicken Big Mac.

Despite these expansions, McDonald's faced challenges this fall with an E. coli outbreak linked to onions used in its Quarter-Pounder, resulting in over 100 reported cases and one death, though the outbreak has since been declared over by the CDC. The growth of chicken chain restaurants in Tacoma may also influence McDonald's expansion strategy.