McDonald's New Budget Menu: 4-Dollar Breakfast, 3-Dollar Lunch

0:00On March 12th, here's the latest out of Birmingham. McDonald's is rolling out new budget-friendly menu items to win back customers squeezed by inflation. The plan, called McValue 2.0 inside the company, features a breakfast bundle with a McMuffin, hash brown, and coffee for just $4. They are also adding $3 options, Microsoft's Biscuit, or a four-piece chicken nuggets. This builds on their popular $5 meal deal, launched in June 2024. That offer was meant to be temporary, but got extended because shoppers kept seeking value amid rising costs for basics. Fast food chains like McDonald's hiked prices after the pandemic to cover higher expenses. Still, in February, the company topped Wall Street expectations for sales and profits thanks to these value promotions drawing in budget conscious. Diners, especially lower-income ones. The chain has poured money into marketing cheaper eats, and it's paying off by pulling in more frugal customers.

1:00Meanwhile, to trim costs, McDonald's plans to phase out self-serve soda fountains over the next six years. With more orders coming through apps and drive-thrues, in-store dining is fading, making those stations less necessary. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones, built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.