Every fast food value meal as chains start price war to bring back customers

Fast food giants across the nation are rolling out enticing deals to lure back customers deterred by soaring prices.
The inflationary wave has not spared fast food menus, with prices surging 28 percent between 2019 and 2023, as reported by CNBC. This price hike has prompted some patrons to alter their dining habits, leaving fast food chains grappling with dwindling sales.
Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, disclosed that it fell short of its first quarter earnings estimates for 2024. McDonald’s also reported lower-than-expected sales.
In a bid to alleviate this strain, eateries like McDonald’s and Wendy’s have opted to introduce value meals. The strategy is aimed at enticing lower-income customers back into their establishments with the prospect of purchasing a complete meal at a reduced cost.
Here’s a rundown of what various restaurants are offering:
This chain offers value meals for breakfast or later in the day. It’s promoting a $3 breakfast deal that includes small-sized Seasoned Potatoes and a choice of an English muffin sandwich, either bacon, egg and cheese or sausage, egg and cheese.
For lunch or dinner, patrons can opt for a $5 or $6 Biggie Bag. For a mere $5, you can choose from the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Stack burger, or Crispy Chicken sandwich, accompanied by a 4-piece chicken nugget, small fries and a small soft drink.
For $6, you can select either the bacon double stack burger or crispy chicken BLT, served with the same sides of nuggets, fries and a beverage.
The fast food behemoth McDonald’s is rolling out a $5 value meal starting June 25, as reported by CNBC. This budget-friendly combo includes a choice between McChicken or McDouble, accompanied by four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a beverage.
This deal is set to be a limited-time offer, expiring after just one month.
Burger King isn’t far behind with its own economical $5 meal deal, which promises to stick around for “several months.” Patrons can select from three sandwich options a Whopper Jr. , Chicken Jr., or Bacon Cheeseburger and the meal is rounded out with nuggets, fries, and a drink.
Arby’s jumps on the deal bandwagon, introducing $5 chicken wraps available for a short period. These wraps are offered in three tantalizing flavors: Ranch, BBQ, and Honey Mustard.
Two wraps coming in at the $5 mark. Normally, a single wrap is priced around $3.
Starbucks is taking cues from the fast food industry with its Pairings Menu, launched on June 11.
For a mere $5, customers can enjoy any tall-sized coffee, hot or iced, with a butter croissant. Alternatively, for $6, the same drink comes with a choice of a savory breakfast item, such as the Sausage, Cheddar, and Egg Sandwich or the Turkey Bacon, Cheddar, and Egg White Sandwich.
Denny’s, catering to the fast casual crowd, has announced the comeback of a special that caters to those on a tight budget. The All-Day Diner Deals, first introduced in 2022, are making a return.
With prices starting from just $5.99, patrons can choose from six different options including eggs, pancakes, burgers, and a steak dinner. Additionally, every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., kids eat for free with the purchase of a $6 entree.