McDonald’s has announced it will extend its $5 meal deal for a few more weeks due to its popularity among customers.
This comes as the fast-food chain faces its first lawsuit related to the E. coli outbreak associated with its Quarter Pounder burger. According to a memo cited by Bloomberg, the majority of McDonald’s locations in the United States have agreed to continue the promotion beyond its initial four-week period, which began on June 25.
The $5 meal deal will be available at approximately 93% of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. However, the duration of the promotion may differ by location, with some restaurants opting to keep it going until August.
As consumers continue to feel the strain of rising food prices, especially in the fast casual dining sector, McDonald’s meal bundle has proven to be beneficial for the company. Foot traffic analytics from Placer.ai indicate that the introduction of this deal resulted in a significant increase in customers visiting McDonald’s locations.
The success of McDonald’s promotion has prompted other fast casual dining chains to respond with their own competitive offers. Arby’s has introduced a $9 meal bundle, while Sonic has launched a permanent $1.99 value menu. Taco Bell announced a limited-time $7 Luxe Cravings Box, alongside its existing $5 Taco Discovery Box and Cravings Value Menu.
In response to the competitive landscape, Burger King recently decided to extend its $5 “Your Way Meal” for longer than McDonald’s and has plans to introduce new items as part of its “Fiery Menu.” Wendy’s has also entered the fray with a $3 breakfast bundle and an additional $5 combo called the “Biggie Bag.”