McDonald’s Extends $5 Value Meal to Welcome Diners Back

In an exciting move for customers, McDonald’s has decided to extend its popular $5 value meal across most of its U.S. markets. This decision comes after the fast-food giant reported a surge in customer visits, attributing the increase to the appealing offer.

According to a memo obtained on Monday, nearly every business unit, representing 93% of McDonald’s restaurants, voted to continue the promotion beyond its original four-week window. Initially launched on June 25, the deal was set to end in late July but will now extend through August in most locations. The decision is subject to further voting in some areas.

The $5 value meal includes a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink, offering a significant discount compared to purchasing these items separately. Myra Doria, national field president, and Tariq Hassan, U.S. chief marketing and customer experience officer, highlighted in the memo that the promotion is effectively drawing customers away from competitors.

“Our message is resonating with our millions of customers,” they wrote. “When our customers are ordering the $5 Meal Deal, they aren’t visiting the competition, and early performance shows this deal is meeting the objective of driving guests back to our restaurants.”

As reported by Bloomberg, McDonald’s decision aligns with a broader trend among restaurants to offer deals aimed at boosting traffic. Many consumers, especially those from lower-income households, are seeking value amid higher prices due to inflation. Competitors like Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Starbucks have also launched similar deals ranging from $3 to $5 to attract budget-conscious diners.

The memo further emphasized the importance of guest counts for business growth: “We must remember that driving guest counts ultimately propels our business and is the key to sustained growth.”

Coca-Cola has supported the promotion by contributing marketing funds, making the value offer more attractive for franchisees. Some franchisee advocates are encouraging further contributions from McDonald’s to ensure the long-term sustainability of the discounted offer for operators.