McDonald’s President sets the record straight about ‘rising prices’ after customers complain about $18 Big Macs
MCDONALD’S president brought the receipts to shut down claims that prices have increased by over 100%.
McDonald’s customers were outraged last year when they spotted a location selling an $18 Big Mac.
McDonald'sMcDonald’s president Joe Erlinger penned an open letter addressing prices[/caption]
GettyMcDonald’s customers were shocked when they saw a store selling a Big Mac for $18 (stock image)[/caption]
The combo meal was on sale at a Connecticut McDonald’s in Darien, one of the country’s wealthiest towns, according to the New York Post.
“This was at a rest stop, but these McDonald’s prices are nuts right???” customer Sam Learner wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Now, McDonald’s president Joe Erlinger addressed claims that prices have become unreasonable in a rare open letter to customers.
“I can tell you that it frustrates and worries me, and many of our franchisees, when I hear about an $18 Big Mac meal being sold – even if it was at one location in the U.S. out of more than 13,700,” he wrote in a statement.
“More worrying, though, is when people believe that this is the rule and not the exception, or when folks start to suggest that the prices of a Big Mac have risen 100% since 2019.”
He pointed out that the average price of a Big Mac in 2019 was $4.39, and now it is $5.29 – only a 21% increase.
The price of a Big Mac combo has increased from $7.29 in 2019 to $9.29 today, with a 27% price increase.
Erlinger said “inflationary pressures” have affected al sectors of the economy, including the fast food industry.
Franchisees set menu prices and “work hard to minimize the impact of price increases on our fans,” he added.
“That’s why prices for many of our menu items have risen less than the rate of inflation – and remain well within the range of other quick service restaurants,” he said.
“It’s also why more than 90% of U.S. franchisees are offering meal bundles for $4 or less.”
CHEAP EATS?
Erlinger’s appeal may have come too late for some customers, who have already turned way from McDonald’s due to high costs.
About 78% of consumers said getting fast food is now a “luxury” due to inflation, per a survey conducted by Yahoo! Finance.
Additonaly, 62% of people said they are eating out less this year because of higher prices.
In February, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski promised a “menu innovation” that would focus on value and lower prices for customers.
He said the chain is working to re-engage with Americans earning $45,000 or less during a company earnings call.
McDonald's prices, then and now
The U.S. Sun compared how the prices have changed for some of McDonald's most popular meals
10-piece McNugget meal
2019 – $7.19
2024 – $9.19
Big Mac Meal
2019 – $7.29
2024 – $9.29
Quarter pounder with cheese
2019 – $4.49
2024 – $5.39
Egg McMuffin
2019 – $3.49
2024 – $4.29
Medium fries
2019 – $2.29
2024 – $3.29
“The battleground is with the low-income consumer. What you’re going to see is more attention to affordability,” he said.
“Think about that as an absolute price point, which is more important for that consumer to get them into the restaurants than maybe value messaging.”
McDonald’s launched a spin-off restaurant that is quickly expanding and offering a brand new feature.
Plus, see the special Hello Kitty collaboration coming to McDonald’s Happy Meals this summer.
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