ST. LOUIS — McDonald's is setting a trend for consumers, and other fast food chains might follow suit. Over the summer, McDonald's brought back a $5 value meal deal, which kicked off a flurry of other meal deals at places like Burger King, Starbucks, and Chipotle.
McDonald's announced this week that the meal deal will continue through the end of the year. The majority of franchise owners agreed to keep the deal through the end of December. The deals include a McDouble burger or McChicken sandwich, small fries, a four-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a small drink. The McDouble deal will cost $6, and the McChicken deal will cost $5.
"Together with our franchisees, we're committed to keeping our prices as affordable as possible, which is why we’re doubling down with even more ways to save,” wrote Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, in a news release. “The extension of the $5 Meal Deal, and the other offerings we’re announcing for our fall line-up, are just a few of the ways we’re working hard to offer great meals at a fair price.”
This comes as more people are choosing to eat at home with grocery store inflation slowing. Census Bureau data shows restaurants saw a slight uptick in July.
On top of the extended deal, there are a few worth marking on your calendar. If you order from the McDonald's app, you can save even more on national food days -- and it may pay off to know at other fast food chains, too:
- September 18th is National Cheeseburger Day, and you can get double cheeseburgers for .50 cents.
- November 9 is National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day, and you can get a McCrispy for $2.
- November 4 through December 2 is a nearly month-long deal that will get you $1 10-piece McNuggets.
- Every Friday through 2024, you can enjoy "Free Fries Fridays" with any $1 purchase. The deal includes medium-sized fries.
Will McDonald's influence other chains again? One can hope!