The McDonald's McRib is back in Arizona after a five-year absence and Chandler resident Randy Walters is pumped.

And that's putting it mildly, the self-proclaimed McRib superfan said.

Walters owned two now-closed Chandler businesses, Pittsburgh Willy's, a hot dog restaurant, and Wimpy's Paradise, a burger and ice cream joint, before he went into retirement.

Now Walters uses some of his free time to rally behind the McRib in good-natured fun.

The limited-release McRib has garnered a cult following since McDonald's launched the barbeque sandwich in 1981. It consists of a boneless pork patty shaped like a rack of ribs topped with barbecue sauce, onions and pickles on a hoagie-style bun.

Why this Chandler man is a McRib superfan

Last year, Walters made a Change.org petition to bring back the sandwich. It garnered 116 signatures, last he checked. Once, a friend brought him two McRibs from Chicago with the components packaged separately. He assembled the sandwiches at home and said they still "tasted amazing."

This week he invites friends to join him Thursday, Oct. 10, around 2 p.m. at the McDonald's on the southwest corner of Cooper and Warner Roads in Gilbert — the first day this location is expected to start slinging McRibs.

It's also the day after his birthday, making the occasion extra special, he said.

Walters said supporting the McRib is mostly just a fun thing to do now that he's retired.

"Don't question it," Walters instructed first-time McRib eaters. "Don't look at it. Close your eyes. Let your tastebuds tell you if you like it or not."

'McDonald's is the best for me'

The fast-food company also has a more personal significance for Walters. His granddaughter Cara has POTS, a circulatory condition, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare disease that affects the connective tissues, he said.

Last year, his family had to fly her to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to see a specialist. Workers from a nearby Ronald McDonald House Charities picked Cara up from the airport, took her to the hospital, fed and took care of her for four to five days, Walters said.

"For that reason alone, McDonald's is the best for me," he said. "McRib is just a bonus. I have such respect for McDonald's for doing that... It's an amazing thing what they do for kids."

Ronald McDonald House Charities describes McDonald's as its largest corporate partner, but operates as an independent nonprofit, according to the organization's website.

How long will the McRib be in Arizona?

While McDonald's has made the McRib available in select markets in recent years, Arizona was not included. Now the McRib makes its return to Arizona, starting with franchise locations as early as this week and at corporate locations officially on Monday, Oct. 14.

McRibs will be available until Nov. 3, McDonald's spokesperson Katherine Rush confirmed. This means fans only have a few weeks to eat as many McRibs they want.

The last time the McRibs were available in Arizona, Walters estimates he ate nine sandwiches by the end of the duration. He remembers further back in his past when he could eat four McRibs in one day.

"Those days are gone," he said. "I'm a little older now. I try to eat a little better."

McDonald's McRib: Yay or nay? Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com or 602-444-8092. Follow her on Twitter: @PriscillaTotiya.

Subscribe to azcentral.com today to support local journalism.