McDonald's preps new $3 menu as value push intensifies
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McDonald's is escalating its value push with new low-priced menu offers set to launch in April, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Why it matters: The fast-food giant has spent nearly two years trying to rebuild its affordability image after inflation-era price hikes eroded its reputation as a low-cost leader.
Driving the news: McDonald's plans to introduce a new $3-and-under menu and $4 breakfast meal deals beginning in April, WSJ reported Wednesday. McDonald's did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- The breakfast bundle would include a McMuffin, hash brown and coffee.
- The new lineup replaces the buy-one-add-one-for-$1 offer launched last year. The update is dubbed "McValue 2.0" internally.
Flashback: In November, McDonald's said it would absorb part of the cost of its $5 and $8 meal promotions to win back cash-strapped diners — a rare move underscoring pressure on lower-income consumers.
- At the time, traffic from lower-income customers across fast food had fallen nearly double digits, while higher-income visits were rising — a divide executives expected to persist.
- McDonald's revived its Extra Value Meals in September, rolling out new combo deals for breakfast, lunch and dinner after launching its McValue platform in January 2025.
Zoom out: Even as McDonald's promotes bigger, premium burgers like the limited-time Big Arch, it's leaning harder into discounts — reflecting the crosscurrents reshaping fast food.
- Taco Bell rolled out an aggressive $3-and-under menu in January.
- Restaurant prices rose 3.9% over the past year, according to new federal data released Wednesday — keeping pressure on chains to prove value.
The bottom line: The value war across fast food isn't cooling.
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