McDonald's launches 'premium' burger range

The burgers contain a thicker beef patty and cost £4.69

The Classic is one of three burgers in the Signature Collection

Fast-food chain McDonald’s is throwing its hat into the UK’s gourmet burger ring after launching its Signature Collection.

The premium burgers, which feature the restaurant's thickest ever beef patty made from 100 per cent British and Irish beef, were made available in 28 restaurants in London and the South on Wednesday.

Developed with the help of chefs who have worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, the burgers come in three flavours: The Classic, The BBQ and The Spicy.

The use of higher quality ingredients, such as the brioche-style bun, and the fact that they are made-to-order has been reflected in their price - an individual burger is £4.69 and a meal is £6.19.

The fast-food chain will roll out the Signature Collection in 400 restaurants across the UK next summer. But some people were unhappy the trial was currently taking place only in the south of England.

One Facebook user said: "If it's only in 28 restaurants why are they all grouped together? Surely they should be spread out across the UK."

Another said: "Why have you done these all down south? None for us northerners."

(McDonald's)

Duncan Cruttenden, the food development director at McDonald’s UK, said: “At McDonald’s we are committed to listening to our customers and evolving our menu to offer something for everyone."

“When the Chefs Council started to develop this new premium offering, we worked with a brief generated by our customers – they told us they wanted thicker beef patties, high quality ingredients and freshly prepared.”

Mr Cruttenden said: “We’ve crafted a range that is a truly exciting permanent addition to our menu – every product has to earn a place on our menu and our customers have told us the Signature Collection has done just that.”