McDonald's tests cheaper meal bundles at about 1,900 US restaurants
The test compares mix-and-match deals with fixed-price bundles. It is a trial, not a national price change, and results are due in about eight weeks.
Reviewed by Jackson on Nov 7, 2026. How we work
Quick answer
McDonald's is testing two kinds of cheaper meal deals at roughly 1,900 restaurants in the United States: mix-and-match bundles and fixed-price combos. The test lasts about eight weeks, and the company plans to use the results to shape a national program.[1][2]
In this article
Why it mattersWhat is being testedWhy price is in the spotlightWhat we don't know yetWhat changedSourcesKey points
- One of the two formats is a mix-and-match option, where customers pick items to build a cheaper meal.[1]
- The other is a fixed-price combo, with the items and price set in advance.[1]
- The company cited a McChicken with small fries for $3.50 as an example. It is one format in the test, not a price guaranteed everywhere.[2]
- Most US McDonald's restaurants are run by franchisees, independent owners who set the price they can afford.[2]
Why it matters
Many American diners say fast food costs more than they expected. Whether McDonald's can make value feel worthwhile affects both customers and the owners who sell the meals.[2][1]
What is being tested
The test runs in about 1,900 US restaurants and compares two approaches: letting customers combine items, or offering ready-made combos at one price.[1]
The company says it will use the results to prepare a national program for early 2027. Which combinations and prices would be used is not yet confirmed.[2]
Why price is in the spotlight
McDonald's has tried value deals before, including a $5 Meal Deal in 2024 and its McValue program. Competitors also use menus and app offers to attract price-conscious customers.[2][3]
Franchisees carry the cost of discounts, so a deal has to be cheap enough to attract customers and still work for the restaurant.[2]
What we don't know yet
- Which combinations will be used in the national program, and at what prices.
- Whether every restaurant will take part, and how prices will vary by region.
- The company's US sales results for the latest quarter. We did not verify them, so they are not in this draft.
- Whether the test will affect menus outside the United States. Nothing published so far says it will.
What changed
- Nov 7, 2026: First draft. AP, McDonald's statement and SEC figures still need to be checked by a person.
Sources
- Restaurant Dive: McDonald's tests entry-level value with mix-and-match and bundles (accessed Nov 7, 2026)
- Associated Press: McDonald's tests new value combos as it tries to win back budget-conscious diners (accessed Nov 7, 2026)
- McDonald's Corporation: McDonald's USA introduces McValue (accessed Nov 7, 2026)