McDonald’s Introduces Limited-Time $5 Value Meal & New McFlurry

McDonald’s will launch a $5 value meal in the U.S. starting June 25, available for roughly a month, according to someone familiar with the offering. The promotion includes a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink. This move aims to provide customers with affordable options amidst rising food prices and economic pressures.

The decision to offer this value meal follows internal discussions and votes among franchisees, with Coca-Cola contributing marketing funds to enhance the appeal of the deal. However, financial details of this partnership have not been disclosed.

This initiative comes as the fast-food industry experiences a consumer pullback. McDonald’s reported mixed first-quarter results, with U.S. same-store sales slightly below expectations despite higher prices driving up average checks. The company noted that customers are becoming more selective with their spending due to elevated prices, highlighting the importance of affordability in attracting diners.

On McDonald’s last earnings call, CEO Chris Kempczinski said, “Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending, which is putting pressure on the [quick-service restaurant] industry.”

Furthermore, starting May 21, McDonald’s will introduce the “Grandma McFlurry,” a limited-time dessert featuring a blend of syrup, vanilla ice cream, and crunchy candy pieces. This new treat is designed to evoke nostalgic flavors, reminiscent of traditional candies often associated with grandmothers.

While McDonald’s has kept the specific candy flavors under wraps, online speculation, particularly on Reddit, suggests it might be butterscotch, similar to Werther’s Original, a classic favorite.

The launch of the Grandma McFlurry ties into the “Grandmacore” trend, popular among Gen Zers on TikTok. This trend celebrates the comforting and homey vibes often associated with grandmothers, influencing various aspects of culture from fashion to food.

McDonald’s appears to be drawing inspiration from the viral success of its Grimace shake from last summer.