McDonald’s USA president talks $5 meals The McDonald’s president says that customers are stretched a lot’
McDonald’s USA president Joe Erlinger was during”Today’s “Today” broadcast on the Tuesday to announce the new $5 dinner deal available to customers, following the soaring prices.
By Lindsay Kornick
Jun 26, 2024 08:48 PM
McDonald’s USA president Joe Erlinger assured customers on Tuesday that he understands their concerns over inflated prices.
Erlinger was featured on the NBC’s “Today” program to announce the beginning for the chain’s $5 value-based meal offer. The deal offers customers can choose either of two sandwich options which include either a McDouble or McChicken. McChicken with small fries, four pieces of McNuggets and the small soda.
He questioned whether the customers “forced his hand” to accept the purchase after they were “fed up” due to rising costs.
The $5 dinner deal started on Tuesday. (McDonald’s America and Fox News)
“I’ve been zigzagging across across the country. I’ve been to our local eating places. I’ve been with focus groups. People are telling us that they’re overextended,” he said. “They were feeling the strain from the rising inflation rates over the past few years.”
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Erlinger added: “So this is a fantastic chance for McDonald’s to increase their value. I’m sure we’re talking about these as”fast-food wars. I view them as affordability and value wars because this is what consumers want.”
He also faced questions regarding complaints against McDonald’s pricing after a viral media image showed an Connecticut stop at $18 for the Big Mac meal.
“That is an exception, not the norm,” Erlinger said. “But you’re right. There’s this general perception that the cost of fast food has increased. I wrote this open letter in order to sort of clear some myths from the market.”
McDonald’s had to face criticism earlier in the year when posts on social media showing a price of $18 for a Big Mac meal went viral. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
He said: “But we are, clearly, really dedicated to the value. I believe that the price of $5 and our continued dedication to affordability and value which makes this”the summer for value” for McDonald’s clearly changing the perception.”
Erlinger has previously denied the “poorly reliable reports” of McDonald’s has increased prices considerably above inflationary levels” on May. Erlinger called the reports “inaccurate,” though he acknowledged that prices have increased over the last few years.
He also blasted claims by the business that it is responsible for “price goinguging.”
“McDonald’s general, five-year cost increase is closely linked to the rise in expenses to run restaurants that have risen. This includes the increase in the salaries of restaurant staff (up 40 percent since 2019 based on data available) and costs for food/paper which is also referred to as the cost of goods (up 35% from the beginning of 2019),” a company fact sheet said.
The report added: “Average price increases at McDonald’s are within the limits of other quick service restaurant price increases in the last five years. The margins for restaurants are generally identical to what they were in 2019 which is in complete contrast to the so-called “gouging.'”
McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger was in”Today, “Today” program to talk about rising prices for fast food. (Photo taken by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto through Getty Images | NBC screenshot via Fox News)
The fact sheet also revealed that the price of the Big Mac rose from $4.39 in 2019 to $5.29 in 2024. This is a 21 percent rise. But, Erlinger said franchisees are the ones who decide the prices for their menus.
FOX Business’ Aislinn Murphy contributed to this piece.