McDonald’s clarifies $18 Big Mac meal as an ‘exception’ amid reports of exaggerated price hikes

McDonald’s Fights Back Against Exaggerated Price Increase Reports

McDonald’s is pushing back against viral tweets and media reports that have exaggerated its price increases, with the company’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger setting the record straight in a recent post on the company’s website.

Erlinger refuted claims that the price of the average Big Mac has doubled since 2019, stating that the average cost of a Big Mac in the U.S. was $4.39 in 2019 and now stands at $5.29, representing a 20.5% increase.

While acknowledging that some items have seen significant price jumps, such as medium fries increasing by 44%, McDonald’s emphasized that franchisees set their own pricing and work to minimize the impact of price increases.

In response to a slowdown in store traffic due to inflation-weary customers eating out less often, McDonald’s plans to introduce a $5 meal deal across the U.S. next month. The deal will include a sandwich, a four-piece McNugget, small fries, and a small drink, in an effort to provide customers with more value and affordability.

Erlinger expressed hope that customers will find the upcoming deals meaningful and emphasized the company’s commitment to remaining focused on providing value to its customers.

As McDonald’s continues to navigate the challenges of rising costs and changing consumer behaviors, the company remains dedicated to offering competitive pricing and appealing deals to its loyal customer base.