McDonald鈥檚 is extending its until December at most U.S. stores, a move that rivals are likely to follow.
McDonald鈥檚 introduced the deal in June after a that saw fewer U.S. visits and lower spending per order, particularly from customers earning less than $45,000 per year. The $5 Meal Deal includes a McDouble burger or McChicken sandwich, small fries, a four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a small drink.
It's the second time McDonald's has extended the deal, which was originally only to last a month.
鈥淭ogether with our franchisees, we鈥檙e committed to keeping our prices as affordable as possible,鈥� McDonald鈥檚 U.S. President Joe Erlinger said Thursday.
As grocery price , more people are choosing to eat at home. U.S. restaurant sales were up slightly in July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But that was largely because of higher menu prices. Adjusted for inflation, restaurant sales fell 0.7% from July 2023, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Rivals like quickly followed McDonald's with their own $5 meal deals. Burger King recently extended its deal through October.
, which already offered a $5 meal deal, started throwing in a free Frosty in June. Now, it's offering a $5 meal deal targeted at college football fans, with no delivery fees every Saturday this fall.
The deals are lifting store traffic. Placer.ai, which uses cellphone data to monitor retail traffic, said U.S. visits to McDonald鈥檚 rose 2.5% in June after the $5 meal deal was introduced and have remained elevated ever since.
Placer.ai said saw a 12.3% increase in visits the week of July 29 when it offered free drinks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Baja Blast.
Fast-food restaurants aren't the only ones offering deals to get customers in the door. Earlier this week, Domino's Pizza announced a monthlong deal that will let customers upgrade one medium pizza to a large for free if they buy two medium pizzas for $6.99 each. And Olive Garden recently announced that its Never-Ending Pasta Bowl special 鈥� which includes soup or salad, breadsticks and pasta for $13.99 鈥� will run through Nov. 17.
McDonald鈥檚 said it will also offer other deals this fall, including free medium fries every Friday with a $1 minimum purchase and $1 10-piece Chicken McNuggets between Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press
