McDonald's Lowering Prices to Win Customers Back

Remember when value meals really felt like a value? It’s definitely been a while. Fast-food prices have continued to rise, turning what was once a cheap option into a meal priced the same as a sit down restaurant.

McDonald’s has decided to turn back the clock on some prices in order to win back customers. The cost of value meals will come down soon, so you’ll be able to get a Big Mac combo without completely emptying your wallet. Here’s what the Golden Arches is lowering prices on, and when.

People don’t see giant fast-food chains like McDonald’s as a good value anymore. As prices have risen, the food — which has always seemed less than high quality — has largely stayed the same.  

While many McDonald’s customers utilize the various offers and deals when they order, about half of customers just pull up, look at the combo meal prices, scoff, and leave, said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski earlier this month. So it’s those regular menu prices that the chain is going to focus on lowering to win customers back.  

McDonald’s will lower the price of eight combo meals (you know, the ones you order by number and come with an entree, fries, and a drink). You can bet that includes meals like the Quarter Pounder with cheese combo or the McCrispy combo. 

How much will the price go down? That’s a little tricky. The combo meals will only cost 15% less than if you ordered all the items in the meal separately. But hey, if you were going to order all those items anyway, at least it’ll cost you less. 

What sounds more promising, though, are two new meal deals: $5 breakfast meal deals and $8 Big Mac and McNugget Extra Value Meal combos.  

Don’t head over to McDonald’s just yet. While an exact date hasn't been released, we know that these new prices and combo meals will start sometime in September. It’s supposed to continue through the start of 2026, so don’t get too used to the lower prices. 

McDonald’s restaurants are franchised, and each individual owner can set their own prices. That’s why different locations within the same area almost always have different prices. So while McDonald’s seems to have gotten buy-in from its restaurant owners, the owners could just raise the regular prices of the menu items, essentially negating the 15% off for combos. Hopefully, though, all McDonald’s locations will at least have the new $5 and $8 combo deals.