McDonald’s Brings Back Extra Value Meals With Eight Combo Options to Cut Costs

McDonald’s reinstated its Extra Value Meals on Sept. 8, offering eight combo options that the company and franchisees say will cost about 15% less than buying the items separately. The limited-time promotion, the first return of the program since 2019, is intended to lure budget-conscious customers and help reverse pressures on traffic and sales tied to rising food costs.

The promotion includes breakfast and lunch/dinner combinations. Breakfast combos pair items such as the Sausage McMuffin with Egg and Egg McMuffin with hash browns and a small coffee; other combos include medium fries and a medium soft drink and feature items such as the Big Mac, a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, any variety Quarter Pounder, and any variety McCrispy Sandwich.

The rollout applies at company-owned restaurants and at most franchised locations, Danielle Marasco, chairman of the National Franchisee Leadership Alliance, said in a statement carried by industry outlets. "Bringing back Extra Value Meals reflects the company and franchisees' shared commitment to offering everyday affordable prices," she said.

Customers reacted quickly on social media, with some calling the return "perfect timing" amid tighter household budgets and others questioning why the menu change is limited rather than permanent. McDonald’s had been singled out last year after reports of Big Mac meals costing about $18, a marker of broader fast-food price increases that has drawn scrutiny from diners and analysts.

The timing of the relaunch comes as visits to fast-food restaurants in the U.S. have softened. Market-research firm Black Box Intelligence reported that visits to fast food operators were down 2.7% so far this year. McDonald’s saw a 3.6% decline in U.S. sales in the January-to-March quarter, according to company reports, but reversed course in the April-to-June period with U.S. comparable sales rising 2.5%.

Analysts and company statements credited several factors for the rebound, including the extension of the chain’s $5 value offering under a new McValue banner, the introduction of limited-time items such as McCrispy Strips, and promotional tie-ins like a Minecraft Movie Meal. McDonald’s also cited extended operating hours made possible by its largest hiring push since 2020 as a contributor to the second-quarter performance. The chain has since introduced additional limited-time items, including a McDonaldland Meal and a return of Snack Wraps.

McDonald’s is not alone in using limited-time value promotions to regain market share. Rival Burger King launched a customer-customizable "Whopper By You" platform this summer and introduced a Crispy Onion Whopper on Aug. 20 at U.S. locations. Burger King experienced a 1.3% drop in U.S. sales in the first quarter, and industry reports show its second-quarter U.S. profits rose about 1.5%, helped by its promotional activity.

Industry watchers said value offerings are a common response as fast-food chains contend with inflation-weary consumers and shifting visit patterns. How long McDonald’s keeps Extra Value Meals on the menu, and whether the pricing will materially alter customer frequency or average check, will be closely watched by investors and franchisees alike. The company and most franchisees have positioned the relaunch as a near-term strategy to make menu items more affordable while monitoring its effect on traffic and overall sales.