Ron McLellan created the McFlurry product for McDonald’s.
McLellan was a McDonald’s franchisee in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. He developed a dessert made by mixing McDonald’s soft-serve ice cream with pieces of candy or other ingredients. The result was named the McFlurry and launched in Canada in 1997.
The product illustrates how McDonald’s franchise system has influenced the company’s branding history. Not every major menu idea began at corporate headquarters; franchisees have sometimes identified local customer preferences and developed products that later gained international attention.
The McFlurry is often confused with McDonald’s other branded desserts, including sundaes and shakes. Its defining feature is the combination of soft serve and mix-in pieces, with specific flavors differing by market.