While once epitomizing the idea of the cheap meal, the Golden Arches has over the last year been fielding frequent complaints about its rising menu prices.
According to several reports which crunched the numbers of individual items and the chain’s menu deals, the average price of a McDonald’s (MCD) item rose by approximately 40% from 2019 to 2024. The chain and chief executive Chris Kempczinski both periodically justified these increases with the rising cost of food but, at the end of August, responded to the growing criticism by slashing the cost of certain combo meals.
The new meal deals include a $5 Sausage McMuffin with Egg with hash browns and a small coffee and $8 Big Mac meal with medium fries and a soft drink.
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McDonald’s says it’s been “working hard to make our meals more affordable”
“*Taps microphone* McDonald’s deals are so back,” the chain said in the press release. “And we mean really back. We’ve been working hard to make our meals more affordable, giving you the food you love at a price that hits the spot. We kicked off this year with McValue, offering you more ways to save, and now we’re doubling down on our promise.”
The McValue is an extension of the meal deal menu that the chain launched in January 2025 with different combos available for $5 as well as various “buy one get one free” offers and mobile app promotions.
Related: McDonald’s is going all in on this country with 50 new stores
As part of the same slashed price promotion, McDonald’s is also launching an $8 10-piece Chicken McNuggets Meal later in the year in November and committing to keep the price of the Snack Wrap at $2.99 until the end of 2025 There are also separate combo deals for meals centered around the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit, Quarter Pounder and McCrispy sandwiches.
The meal deals will be available at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide throughout the fall but for an undisclosed period of time.
Image source: McDonald's
Will slashed meal deals really make a difference in customers’ pockets?
Similar moves to lock in the prices of popular items have also been made half a world away in Australia.
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At the start of July, McDonald’s Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski committed to keeping the combos on its Loose Change Menu at a respective $7 AUD ($4.55 USD) and $4 AUD ($2.60 USD) as many of its customers in the country expressed concerns about the rising cost of living.
With several studies showing that fast-food chains’ value-seeking customers will almost always go for various bundles and deals, the promotion has both been a way to reach out to its fans and drive traffic through greater numbers.
At the same time, even a number of promotional prices are not enough to set off years of rising prices and low consumer confidence; in an earnings call last spring, the chain reported that its same-day sales in the U.S. dropped by 3.6% from 2024 while sales from its low- and mid-income consumers fell by as much as 10% as many who would previously come to its stores frequently started doing so less often due to cost.
Related: Taco Bell to add three popular desserts to permanent menu
