McDonald's tests fresh beef at 14 U.S. restaurants

This Dec. 29, 2009 file photo shows a Big Mac sandwich in front of a drink at McDonald's in North Huntingdon, Pa. (AP Photo / Keith Srakocic, File)

NEW YORK -- McDonald's says it's testing fresh beef at 14 restaurants in Dallas, but says it's too early to say whether fresh beef could replace its frozen patties nationally.

The Oak Brook, Illinois company says the test is limited to its quarter pounder patties.

"Like all of our tests, this one too is designed to see what works and what doesn't within our restaurants," said Lisa McComb, a McDonald's spokeswoman, in a statement.

The test comes as McDonald's Corp. fights to turn around its business, which had suffered slumping sales until recently. The company has said it's looking at improving its core menu items.

McDonald's has more than 14,000 locations in the U.S., making by far the biggest burger chain.

The test was first reported in Nation's Restaurant News.