McDonald’s debuted a $5 value meal on Tuesday, June 25, to lure customers back. Angry customers took to social media to complain about inflated menu items during these tough inflationary times.
The fast food giant responded by offering a $5 meal for a limited time only (1 week).
Here’s what you get for $5: a McChicken or a McBurger, McNuggets, a side order of small fries, and a small drink.
“It’s imperative that we continue to keep affordability at the forefront for our customers,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said at the April 30 earnings call.
According to reports, McDonald’s raised their prices about 40% from 2019 to 2024.
Back in the day, a McDonald’s value meal, including a burger, drink and small fries cost $1.99. Now a Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Meal costs $16.
People who can still afford to eat at McDonald’s complained that the burger meat is thinner than the pickles.
Is this a new round of shrinkflation, or has McDonald's always been this bad?
I don't remember the Big Mac “meat” patties being thinner than the pickle …
Time to start calling it a "little mac."
? … ??? pic.twitter.com/J2nirEyjtu
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) May 13, 2024
Other companies, including Target and Walmart, have followed McDonald’s lead by dropping prices on thousands of items.
Target announced price reductions on essential items, including eggs, milk, and diapers.
Additionally, Wendy’s is offering a $5 combo meal and a free Frosty.
Economists say corporations took advantage of the COVID lockdowns to raise prices by blaming supply-chain delays.
Meanwhile, a longtime McDonald’s franchise in San Francisco closed its doors after 30 years due to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new $20 minimum wage law.
“It’s not wage, we’re talking about massive insurance costs that have gone up in the state of California, if you can get it,” owner Scott Rodrick told CNBC last month. “Obviously, back door costs have skyrocketed, milk, eggs, the cost of beef, chicken.”
