Fast food leader McDonald’s has decided to extend its popular $5 meal deal for a few more weeks. According to a memo cited by Bloomberg, most McDonald’s locations in the United States have agreed to continue the promotion, which originally began on June 25, beyond its initial four-week timeframe.
The meal deal will be available at around 93% of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide, although the specific duration may differ by location, with some opting to keep the promotion running until August.
As consumers face rising food costs, particularly in the fast casual dining sector, this bundle is proving beneficial for McDonald’s. Foot traffic analytics company Placer.ai reported that the introduction of the deal led to a significant increase in customer visits at McDonald’s locations soon after its launch, indicating that the offer is appealing to customers.
This promotion is also influencing competition among other fast casual restaurants, as they respond with their own meal deals. Arby’s has introduced a $9 meal bundle, while Sonic has added a permanent $1.99 value menu. Additionally, Taco Bell recently announced a $7 Luxe Cravings Box and continues to offer its $5 Taco Discovery Box as part of a value menu.
In a competitive response, Burger King revealed that its $5 “Your Way Meal” will be available for a longer period than McDonald’s deal. They also plan to introduce new items under their “Fiery Menu.” Meanwhile, Wendy’s has launched a $3 breakfast bundle and introduced a $5 combo called the “Biggie Bag.”