Wings: Coming To A McDonald's Near You?

Chicken sandwiches, Chicken McNuggets, and other chicken-based items have proven to be quite popular options for McDonald's customers, and the fast-food giant is exploring adding a new chicken item to their menu: wings.

If it sounds like a logical next step to you (especially with the Super Bowl right around the corner), then it does to McDonald's as well. After a successful test run in Atlanta last year, a company representative confirmed to the Associated Press that 500 outposts will be offering the product in the Chicago area this week. They'll reportedly sell in servings of three, five, or 10 wings, starting at $3.

While wings seem like an obvious slam-dunk menu option, it might be more difficult than it appears to make them a permanent addition to the McDonald's roster. For one, chicken wing prices are 26 percent higher than they were a year ago (and $0.60 more expensive per pound than boneless, skinless chicken breasts, surprisingly), and wings aren't exactly car-food friendly.

Regardless of the challenges, McDonald's is pressing onward, and could possibly just offer the wings for a limited time. They're facing increased competition from expanding menus at competitors Burger King and Wendy's, and also from slightly pricier chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread.

If they sell well in Chicago, and if prices stay low enough to make it worth McDonald's while, we just might begin to see the product in our local outposts sometime soon. 

Dan Myers is the Eat/Dine Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @sirmyers.