McDonald's Faces Backlash Over $5 Meal Deal: Customers Call It 'Skimpy'

Launching June 25, McDonald's $5 meal deal is already facing customer backlash. Many label it "skimpy" and question its value in light of rising fast food prices.

McDonald's Strategy to Boost Foot Traffic

According to The Wall Street Journal, McDonald's is set to roll out its $5 meal bargain at US restaurants starting June 25. The deal includes a small fry, four McNuggets, a small soft drink, and a choice between a McDouble or McChicken.

The Journal explained that McDonald's is implementing the campaign to increase foot traffic at its restaurants.

"We know how much it means to our customers when McDonald's offers meaningful value and communicates it through national advertising," a McDonald's representative affirmed to Business Insider. "That's been true since our very beginning and never more important than it is today."

Franchisees Raise Profitability Concerns

However, not everyone is convinced about the profitability of the $5 meal deal. Some franchisees have expressed doubts, raising concerns about their ability to profit from this offer.

Earlier this week, a recent study found that the cost of fast food has significantly increased recently, surpassing inflation by a significant amount. Costs associated with fast food have increased by roughly 21.5% since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began.

Because food prices have increased over the previous few years, user sources_say on TikTok questioned how McDonald's could even provide the bargain. He says, "I'm not going to get that," in the clip. "How is this food so cheap due to inflation?":

Although the deal doesn't start for another month, some customers have already said it's not worth it. For example, one X user replied to the company's official account to say they didn't like how the offer was only temporary:

While another one criticized the deal, calling it "skimpy.":

Photo: Roger Ismael/Unsplash