McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Hardee’s, and more

deleciousfood | August 19, 2024 | Fast Food | No Comments

The war of cheap fast food meals is far from over.

McDonald’s $5 meal deals, Wendy’s breakfast packs and Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings Box kicked off the cost-cutting competition about two months ago.

As the cost of restaurant meals continues to rise (up 4.1% in July compared to July 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), more fast-food chains are offering value-added menus to appeal to customers wary of rising prices.

Hardee’s recently announced its $5.99 Original Bag deal, which includes two entrees and sides. Carl’s Jr., which like Hardee’s is owned by CKE Restaurants Holdings, is launching its “More Bang, Less Buck” value menu — 10 items all under $4.

Restaurant chains have also gotten in on the action. Chili’s has expanded its 3 for Me menu with a half-pound Big Smasher burger or a crispy chicken sandwich, plus unlimited chips and salsa and an unlimited soft drink, starting at $10.99.

Red Robin, starting Monday, August 19, is offering new specials including Monster Monday deals, $10 Gourmet Cheeseburger Tuesdays, and 50% off Kids Meal Wednesday deals.

Available Monday, Aug. 26: Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl ($13.99, includes unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks; offer valid through Nov. 17), the same price as its last offering two years ago, the company said. Members of the chain’s eClub loyalty program get a head start on the Never Ending Pasta Bowl and can order starting Monday, Aug. 19.

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Most of the deals are billed as limited-time offers, but McDonald’s has kept its $5 meal deal on the menu at most of its restaurants, McDonald’s USA president Joseph Erlinger said three weeks ago. The company is working to extend the deal even longer, he said, because its availability has helped shift “sentiment toward the brand in terms of value and affordability.”

While McDonald’s cites the success of its $5 meal deal, some industry observers question whether the deals are actually achieving their goal.

McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Wendy’s and Taco Bell all saw sales declines of more than 30% between July 2023 and July 2024, according to data from financial app Brigit, which analyzed millions of transactions from its users who connected their bank accounts.

App users are spending less on fast food, entertainment and shopping, Brigit co-founder and CEO Zuben Mathews told USA TODAY. “Restaurants offering ‘meal deals’ are not enough to drive sales, and if restaurants want to see revenue return, menu prices need to come down over the long term rather than offering a few deals on certain menu items,” Mathews said. “For a lot of the big chains … we saw a decline in overall user spending in July after many of these restaurants launched meal deals in June.”

McDonald’s and its competitors could use artificial intelligence to craft value-priced meals that appeal to more consumers, according to Jim Swift, CEO of Buxton, a retail analytics firm. The company used AI to create several “key customer personas” for McDonald’s and found a range of responses to the appeal of the $5 meal, he said.

“As the war for value continues, it’s clear that success will depend not just on the ability to deliver offers, but also on understanding who those offers are really for,” Swift told USA TODAY. “In the battle for customer loyalty, a one-size-fits-all strategy isn’t enough. Instead, the key to victory lies in personalization — creating offers and experiences that speak directly to customers’ diverse lives and values.”

Here’s a look at some of the best deals available right now.

Price: $5

When it started: June 25

What can you get: A McChicken or McDouble sandwich with four McNuggets, fries and a drink.

Price: $5

When it started: June 13

What can you get: A Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger; with Economy Fries, four Chicken Nuggets and an Economy Soft Drink.

Price: $3

What can you get: Choose two of the following items for a total of $3: Sausage and Cheese English Muffin; Egg and Cheese English Muffin; Sausage Biscuit; Egg and Cheese Biscuit, Seasoned Baby Potatoes and a medium hot coffee.

Also available: Wendy’s Biggie Bag (starting at $4 for a Junior Cheeseburger, a 4-piece chicken nugget serving, fries and a drink) has been around for years, but has been tried by nearly a third of American adults, according to the research firm CivicScience. Include Wendy’s free kids’ meal. Order a premium combo in the Wendy’s app and get a free Wendy’s kids’ meal.

Price: $4 or less

When it started: June 3

What can you get: The following items are each $4 or less: Jr. Jumbo Jack, Tiny Tacos, Chicken Nuggets, French Toast Sticks, Jr. Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Sourdough Grilled Cheese, Two Tacos, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Value Drink, Value Curly Fries, Value Fries.

Price: $7

When it started: June 27

What can you get: A Chalupa Supreme, a 5-layer beef burrito, a double-stacked taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.

Price: $5-$7

When it started: June 11

What can you get: A large hot or iced coffee or tea and a butter croissant for $5. Get a large hot or iced coffee or tea and add a breakfast sandwich for $6 or $7 depending on the sandwich.

(Sausage, cheddar and egg sandwich; Bacon, Gouda and egg sandwich; Turkey bacon, cheddar and egg white sandwich; Chicken, maple butter and egg sandwich for $6. Double smoked bacon or Impossible breakfast sandwich for $7).

Price: $4 or less

When it started: August 14

What can you get: The value menu features 10 items under $4, including four new single burgers, including the Guacamole Jr. and Bacon Cheese Jr., a spicy chicken sandwich, 6-piece chicken stars, fries and chocolate cake. You can also upgrade any burger to a double for just 99 cents.

Price: From $3.29

When it started: August 19

What can you get: Buy a meat and potato burrito, super burrito, Bravo taco or churro and get another for $1. There’s also a $5 meal deal with a beef taco, bean burrito, drink and junior order of Potato Olés. The chain launched its ValuEST menu in 2021; it currently offers seven items, including several burritos and a cheesy beef and potato taco (price range, $2 to $4).

Price: $6

When it started: August 1st

What can you get: Choice of two entrees: hot ham and cheese sandwich, double cheeseburger or tender chicken wraps and, in select markets, chili dog and roast beef sandwich. Served with fries and a drink, with the option to upgrade to a medium or large size for an additional fee.

Price: $5

When it started: August 5th

What can you get: The combo includes an 8-inch sandwich, a bag of Jimmy’s chips, a choice of cookies or brownies, and a regular-sized drink.

Price: $5

When it started: August 12

What can you get: Choose from a Famous Bowl with KFC chicken nuggets, an order of eight chicken nuggets or an order of two chicken pieces (drumstick and thigh).

Price: $8

When it started: July 30

What can you get: A bag of 10 Cheese Sliders at over 30% off the regular price (offer is $8.99 in Arizona, New York, New Jersey); you can mix and match your choice of cheese (American, jalapeño and smoked cheddar).