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McDonald’s enthusiasts are taking to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, claiming that the chain’s well-known $5 meal deal has increased in price, reportedly reaching $7 at certain locations in just a few weeks.
The four-item meal deal launched in May last year and quickly sparked copycat offers from Burger King and Wendy’s.
This deal was launched in response to the increasing discontent among Americans over the rising costs of fast food, highlighted by the $17 Big Mac that exemplifies the surge in burger prices.
The move worked, helping lure customers back to McDonald’s 18,000 US restaurants.
Yet, fans are feeling the pinch as prices rise in some regions. One Reddit user commented: ‘I had avoided McDonald’s for a while due to their prices, but the $5 meal deal felt 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.’
The deal includes a sandwich — either a McChicken, McDouble, or Daily Double — four chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink. Depending on location and choices, the Daily Double option can push the price to $7.
Some fans slammed McDonald’s for ‘dropping the ball,’ while others point out the meal still offers 40–50 percent off compared with ordering items individually.
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.
‘Mine is still $5 for the McChicken meal,’ one said. ‘Along with either a free six piece nuggets or free Big Mac if the Phillies win or Eagles get a sack, I consider that a really good deal.’
‘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.
