McDonald's Is Extending Its $5 Meal Deal Promotion — Get the Details Here Originally billed as a limited-time response to provide relief to inflation-strapped consumers, the promotion has gained traction with customers demanding value from fast-food brands.

By Carl Stoffers Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • McDonald's is extending its $5 Meal Deal, which it initially launched as a limited-time promotion.
  • The decision to extend the promotion aligns with a broader trend in the fast-food industry.
  • As inflation continues to strain household finances, McDonald's and other fast-food chains are focusing on offering cost-effective meal deals.

McDonald's is extending its $5 Meal Deal promotion, launched last summer, to cater to budget-conscious customers. Originally billed as a limited-time response to provide relief to inflation-strapped consumers, the promotion has gained traction with consumers demanding value from fast-food brands. The $5 Meal Deal includes a McDouble or McChicken, small fries, four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a small drink.

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The move aligns with a broader trend in the industry, where major fast-food chains have battled for customers with affordable meal deals since McDonald's launched its promotion in June. Competitors, including Burger King, Taco Bell and Wendy's, have also introduced value-based promotions to retain customer loyalty amid rising food costs, inflation concerns — and even customer outcry.

In an open letter to customers last May, Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA, addressed widespread reports — primarily spread via social media — that menu prices had increased more than 100% in the past five years. The letter also rebuked claims that the chain raised prices above standard inflationary rates.

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"Inflationary pressures have affected all sectors of the economy, including ours," Erlinger wrote. "That's why prices for many of our menu items have risen less than the rate of inflation — and remain well within the range of other quick service restaurants."

While these deals will bring some form of relief to inflation-strapped consumers, FinanceBuzz, a financial news and information website, recently analyzed value meals at major fast-food restaurants to determine how much consumers can save by buying value meals versus purchasing the items individually, finding that McDonald's was among the top in value.

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A table showing fast food restaurant value meals.

With inflation still a stubborn reality for many consumers, McDonald's aims to continue attracting price-sensitive customers while keeping its menu appealing and accessible. The $5 Meal Deal promotional extension could further boost traffic to its locations and help drive sales during an economically uncertain time.

Related: Find Out Which Brands Have Ranked on the Franchise 500 for Longest, Earning a Spot In our New 'Hall of Fame'

Read More: CNBC

Carl Stoffers

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Business Editor

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