McDonald’s doubles down on value
McDonald’s is testing a ‘McValue 2.0’ push across the U.S. with an Under $3 Menu and bundled meal deals, paired with pop‑culture tie‑ins like KPop Demon Hunters themed meals to keep menu buzz alive. The move signals the chain is combining affordability with fandom‑driven promotions to defend traffic. (simplywall.st)
McDonald’s is going back to bargain mode just two years after customers spent 2024 complaining that a fast-food lunch had started to feel like a sit-down bill. On April 2, 2026, the company said it will add a new Under $3 Menu and a $4 Breakfast Meal Deal at participating United States restaurants starting April 21. (corporate.mcdonalds.com) The cheap menu is not replacing the older deals. McDonald’s said the new under-$3 items will sit alongside lunch and dinner bundles that start at $5, so the chain is trying to cover breakfast, snack, and full-meal spending in one value system. (corporate.mcdonalds.com) The breakfast offer is built like a stripped-down combo for people who want a full tray without paying full combo prices. Customers can pick a Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit and get Hash Browns plus a small coffee for $4. (today.com) McDonald’s is also using the under-$3 slot as a moving target instead of a fixed dollar menu. Early limited-time prices include a Sausage McMuffin for $1.50 and a McDouble for $2.50, which lets the company advertise low numbers without locking every item into one permanent national price. (today.com) This comes after McDonald’s spent 2025 rebuilding its value image. In its February 11, 2026 full-year results, the company said its value push improved traffic and affordability scores, and it reported global systemwide sales growth of 8% for 2025. (corporate.mcdonalds.com) The company’s United States business looked stronger by the end of that run. McDonald’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings showed United States comparable sales rose 6.8%, and management tied the gain to positive guest counts and stronger marketing promotions. (cnbc.com) Cheap food is only half of the plan. On March 31, McDonald’s also launched a tie-in with Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” with two themed meals, collectible photo cards, and a seasoned fries add-on called Ramyeon McShaker Fries. (mcdonalds.com) That pairing shows how McDonald’s is trying to solve two different problems with one menu board. The under-$3 offers are meant to pull in people counting dollars, while the film tie-ins are meant to give regular customers a reason to come back for something new even if they were already eating there. (corporate.mcdonalds.com)
