Food
Cut price menu coming to a McDonald’s near you: they were listening
When money and time is tight, many people turn to fast food solutions, and one particular chain has an offer that will please the masses.
McDonald’s is making a play for your wallet as well as your appetite, a positive for both, but maybe not for your health. Starting on January 7, 2025, just after the festive spending has made a hole bigger than an uncontrolled Santa landing heavily on your weak fireplace, the fast-food giant will roll out its revamped “McValue” menu, a response to growing consumer frustration over rising prices. For a company that’s seen its share of challenges lately, this move signals a clear attempt to bring customers back into the fold - or at least back into the drive-thru lane.
What does McDonald’s offer include?
The new menu includes the continuation of the $5 Meal Deal, a combo of a McChicken sandwich, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, or a McDouble, plus fries and a drink. It also debuts the “Buy One, Add One for $1” deal, where a full-priced McValue menu item unlocks a second item for just a buck. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the menu promises to cover all the bases, from hash browns to double cheeseburgers, with a side of high cholesterol.
Inflation hits the fast-food faithful
It’s worth noting that this menu refresh isn’t just a goodwill gesture. It’s a lifeline to some. Inflation has made fast food feel like a luxury for many Americans, with nearly 80% of consumers saying they now view it as such, according to a LendingTree survey. Over half are, maybe wisely, choosing to cook at home instead, opting for the cost savings of grocery shopping over the convenience of a drive-thru window.
The numbers back up the pinch: fast-food prices have risen sharply, up 7.5% in 2022 and still climbing 4.8% year-over-year as of October 2024. Meanwhile, McDonald’s comparable U.S. sales in the third quarter of this year eked out a mere 0.3% growth, while net income fell by 3%.
A tough year for McDonald’s
Inflation isn’t McDonald’s only headache. The company is still reeling from an E. coli outbreak in October that affected over 100 people, hospitalized 34, and resulted in one tragic death. Understandably, this sent sales and foot traffic spiraling even further.
It hasn’t helped that customers are growing more vocal about perceived price gouging. Since 2019, McDonald’s menu prices have risen by about 40%. Social media, of course, has magnified every gripe. But McDonald’s insists it’s being reasonable, with executives calling reports “inaccurate” and “poorly sourced.”
Can McDonald’s win back your appetite?
Despite the hurdles, McDonald’s sees a way forward: affordability. “We have a heightened focus on value and affordability,” said CFO Ian Borden during an earnings call last month, noting that lower-income families are feeling the squeeze the most.
Whether the McValue menu can turn things around remains to be seen. But for now, the Golden Arches are trying to shine a little brighter for the budget-conscious diner. You might not save the world with a $1 double cheeseburger, or fit into last year’s jeans, but at least you’ll save a few bucks. Let’s also see how Make America Healthy Again plays out in 2025...
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