# McDonald’s launches budget-friendly meal deals as fast food prices soar

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mcdonalds-launches-budget-friendly-meal-deals-as-fast-food-prices-soar/
- Published: 2026-11-05T16:03:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T16:25:49+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/05/lifestyle/mcdonalds-rolls-out-low-cost-mix-and-match-meal-bundles/
- Topics: Culture, Food, World

## Key points

- McDonald’s is testing $3.50 to $4 meal bundles.
- The eight-week pilot covers 1,900 US locations.
- A nationwide rollout is planned for early 2027.

## Summary

McDonald’s is testing lower-priced meal bundles in the US after weak sales growth and a fall in customer visits. The eight-week trial aims to attract budget-conscious diners, with a nationwide value-menu rollout planned for early 2027 if the company identifies popular options.

The pilot covers 1,900 locations and includes combinations such as a McChicken with small fries for $3.50, with other bundles priced at $3.50 to $4 depending on the market. US comparable sales rose 0.2% from July to September, while store traffic fell 4.6% year on year; around 4,000 franchisees have already introduced their own deals. US menu prices rose an average of 40% between 2019 and 2024, and McDonald’s has not named the participating test locations.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.