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McDonald’s UK said that it would have to raise its prices as the soaring inflation is fast catching up with them. The fast-food chain shared that for some of the menu items, this will be the first time in 14 years that their prices are increasing.
McDonald’s UK confirmed that it has been selling some food items at the same prices since 2008. But due to inflation, the company has to sell them at higher prices now, and the increase is up to 20 pence in many of its food.
As per UK’s Mirror, the burger joint shared just one example of the new price, saying that its cheeseburger now cost £1.19 starting this week and the original price was 99 pence. This is the first time in more than a decade that the burger’s price was changed.
The range of price hikes for each menu item will vary, and McDonald’s said the lowest addition is 10 pence. Customers may also find that the prices are different in every store - this is because each restaurant branch is allowed to set its own prices. Then again, the rule excludes the saver menu items as these should post the same price range as the other franchises.
Mirror reported that McDonald's could only suggest prices for its franchisees, but it cannot order them to follow the recommendations. While new rates were already applied to some items, most are set to be implemented this summer.
The menu that will definitely have price increases are the McNuggets share box, large coffee, McFlurry dessert, breakfast meals, and main meal sets. McDonald’s UK will not be raising the rates for these items: Mayo chicken burger, salads, and wraps.
"We are living through incredibly challenging times and we’re all seeing the cost of everyday items, such as food and energy, increase in a way many of us have never experienced,” Alistair Macrow, McDonald's UK and Ireland’s chief executive officer, said in a statement regarding the hike. "Just like you, our company, our franchisees who own and operate our restaurants, and our suppliers are all feeling the impact of rising inflation."
The CEO went on to explain, "Since we opened in the UK in 1974, we have committed to offering great tasting food at affordable prices and that commitment will not change, however, today's pressures mean, like many, we are having to make some tough choices about our prices."
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