McDonald’s enthusiasts are expressing their discontent on social media, asserting that the renowned $5 meal deal has surged in price. Reports suggest that in certain locations, it now costs $7, a hike witnessed in under a month.
The four-item meal deal launched in May last year and quickly sparked copycat offers from Burger King and Wendy’s.
Initially introduced to alleviate growing discontent among Americans over escalating fast food costs, the concept was that a hefty $17 price tag on a Big Mac highlighted the soaring expenses of burgers.
The move worked, helping lure customers back to McDonald’s 18,000 US restaurants.
However, dedicated patrons are annoyed as prices increase in some regions. One Reddit contributor mentioned: ‘I took a break from McDonald’s due to high prices, but the $5 meal seemed reasonable.’
‘Well, a couple of weeks ago it became $6. And today it’s $7.40 percent more in less than a month is wild. I’m done again.’
This deal features a choice of sandwich—be it a McChicken, McDouble, or Daily Double—alongside four chicken nuggets, fries, and a beverage. Depending on the location and chosen options, selecting the Daily Double might elevate the cost to $7.
While some criticize McDonald’s for letting consumers down, others highlight that the meal still provides a 40-50% discount compared to purchasing each item separately.
The meal came with a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink when launched in 2024
A Reddit user claimed a $5 meal deal at McDonald’s cost $7 at their local restaurant
A few customers defended the chain, saying the meal still costs $5 at their local restaurants.
‘I can still get the McChicken meal for $5 at my location,’ one commenter noted. ‘Plus, with promotions like a free six-piece nugget or Big Mac if the Phillies win or the Eagles secure a sack, I find it to be a great bargain.’
‘The deals are pretty fair if you use them in conjunction with a promo,’ another customer commented. ‘Besides, these meal deals were only supposed to be around for like a month anyway.’
The debate comes after McDonald’s recovered from its first quarter sales slump — to post a 2.5 percent rise in US sales. It was boosted by the Minecraft Meal offer and the roll-out of McCrispy Strips.
With consumers fearing skyrocketing prices of Big Macs, some have opted to skip McDonald’s and head over to another restaurant.
Some gave brief shout outs to the all-new McDonaldland Meal — a limited-time offering bring back beloved characters Grimace, Ronald McDonald, Birdie, Fry Friends, Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese.
While customers were eager to get their hands on the meal, employees were aggravated to learn they would debut a month after the Snack Wrap relaunch.
‘Seriously!?! One more thing to shove in my already overloaded tiny walk-in cooler!,’ a worker wrote on a Reddit post.
McDonald’s experienced a global sales comeback during its second quarter
Multiple social media users believed the prices were ‘more than fair’ and were not higher than usual
The negative hype and humiliating loss for the nation’s favorite fast food chain, is not affecting the company’s plan to boost employment and customer satisfaction.
Customers were ecstatic to earlier this summer that a ‘vast majority’ of McDonald’s restaurants permanently extended operating hours.
The chain is also completing its biggest job push since 2020 — 375,000 Americans.
The hiring wave will span to over 13,000 US locations while the chain prepares to open 900 new restaurants by the end of 2027.
Working to implement more AI technology into its 43,000 restaurants, the company has not revealed which of the new locations will include the technological updates.
It is continuing to work with its franchisees in ensuring menu prices are affordable for all customers.
