McDonald’s has decided to extend its $5 meal deal for several more weeks, after the initial four-week promotion that began on June 25. According to a memo reported by Bloomberg, a majority of U.S. McDonald’s locations will continue offering the deal, which will be available at about 93% of restaurants across the country. The duration of the promotion may vary by location, with some restaurants opting to keep it available until August.
As consumers face rising food prices, particularly in the fast casual dining sector, this promotion has proven beneficial for McDonald’s. Foot traffic analytics from Placer.ai revealed that the introduction of the $5 meal deal led to a significant increase in customer visits to its restaurants, indicating that the offer is appealing to patrons.
The popularity of McDonald’s deal has prompted other fast casual chains to respond with their own promotions. Arby’s recently announced a $9 meal bundle, while Sonic introduced a permanent $1.99 value menu. Taco Bell also joined the competition, launching a $7 Luxe Cravings Box alongside its existing $5 Taco Discovery Box and Cravings Value Menu.
In late May, Burger King announced that its $5 “Your Way Meal” would outlast McDonald’s offering, while the chain also introduced new items under its “Fiery Menu.” Additionally, Wendy’s has made headlines with a $3 breakfast bundle and has since rolled out a $5 combo known as the “Biggie Bag.”