OAK BROOK, Ill. – Fans of McDonald’s McRib sandwich will have to wait quite a bit longer for the item to appear on restaurant menus, according to news reports.

A memo obtained by Ad Age from the company’s Operators National Advertising Fund, McDonald’s national franchise council, revealed that the McRib will not be available until late December. The usual marketing window for the sandwich was originally scheduled for Oct. 22 through Nov. 11. McDonald’s hopes the McRib will boost the company’s year-end sales.

In its place, McDonald’s will offer a Cheddar Bacon Onion Angus burger and a similar chicken sandwich, according to Ad Age, followed by a Fish McBites launch in February.