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A new batch of budget-friendly value meals is hitting McDonald’s menu.
McDonald’s is introducing low-cost value meals across the U.S. after customer traffic declined and third-quarter sales were low, CEO Chris Kempczinski said Wednesday.
The fast-food chain launched an eight-week pilot program in 1,900 locations to test mix-and-match and fixed-price bundles. Options include a McChicken sandwich and small fries for $3.50, aimed at drawing budget-conscious diners back in.
The mix-and-match lineup will feature choices like the McDouble, McChicken, 6-piece chicken nuggets, and fries, priced between $3.50 and $4.00 depending on the market.
During an earnings call with Wall Street analysts, Kempczinski acknowledged the chain fell short of expectations, pointing to a failure to serve lower-income consumers seeking budget options.
U.S. comparable sales grew just 0.2% from July to September, down from 2.4% during the same period last year. Total U.S. store traffic dropped 4.6% year-over-year, according to Placer.ai data.
“We didn’t land like we needed to,” Kempczinski told investors regarding second-quarter performance. “That’s what we’re in the midst of getting resolved right now through testing.”
Franchisees aren’t waiting for test results. Roughly 4,000 operators have already introduced local meal deals to drive traffic.
Following trials, McDonald’s plans a nationwide rollout of the new value menu in early 2027, once they see which bundles are most popular
“Customers should see a clear and compelling value proposition every time they consider McDonald’s — whether looking for an affordable individual item, a complete meal, or a digital app offer,” Kempczinski added.
In June 2024, McDonald’s introduced a $5 Meal Deal. The following year, it debuted its McValue menu and Extra Value Meals, offering a 15% discount on bundled items compared to buying them individually.
This April, the chain updated the McValue menu with 10 items under $3. However, Kempczinski noted that only 60% of U.S. locations carried the updated menu.
“Where I am at 10 dollars for a Big Mac meal is unacceptable and I will not do it,” one commenter wrote online. “I am not spending more than I would at a sit down restaurant for a crap ‘value’ meal that is not a value.”
McDonald’s announced its new turnaround strategy called “NEXT” in June, including modernizing restaurants and investing more in employee training. Kempczinski also said the company aims to expand the use of Archie, an AI assistant for drive-thru ordering, across the majority of US restaurants by the end of 2027.
McDonald’s U.S. menu prices rose an average of 40% between 2019 and 2024. In May 2026, the chain drew criticism after updating its rewards program to increase the points required for free items.
Participation varies by franchise owner and availability depends on whether your local store is part of the test market or chose to launch an independent promotion. McDonald’s has not released which stores are participating in the eight-week bundle rollout.
