Fast food chain McDonald’s is aiming to focus on making its menu items affordable for its customers in 2024 in response to complaints online over increased menu prices.
The chain’s announcement was made by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski during an earnings call on Monday, who wanted the company to bring its attention back to “affordability.” It comes as some on social media platforms such as TikTok have complained that the chain’s iconic Big Mac meal is costing them up to $18, roughly double from what it once was a few years ago.
“Eating at home has become more affordable,” Kempczinski said. “The battleground is certainly with that low-income consumer.”
In one of the viral social media posts criticizing the chain’s inflated prices, a customer showed his Big Mac meal and receipt costing him $16 in the state of Idaho. The price for this meal, consisting of a Big Mac burger, a side of french fries, and a soft drink, varies across locations, costing $18 in Connecticut or $13.69 in New York City’s Times Square.
Customers have also taken issue with the chain’s $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu, with one user on TikTok pointing out how not a single item on this menu costs just $1, instead costing over $1.
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McDonald’s raising its prices so high could be attributed to some states requiring fast food chains to raise their minimum wage. California mandated the minimum wage for fast food workers be set to $20 an hour last year, with this new law going into effect this April.
The company is not the only fast food chain aiming to become more affordable. Taco Bell unveiled The Cravings Value Menu last month. The menu consists of 10 items, all priced at $3 or less.
