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Writer's picturemeowdini
May 302 min read

McDonald’s Clarifies Big Mac Price Reports, Calls $18 Meal an Exception

McDonald’s Addresses Viral Reports on Big Mac Prices

In response to viral tweets and media reports suggesting significant price increases, McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger clarified the real situation about Big Mac prices in a post on the company’s website. Erlinger emphasized that claims about the average Big Mac price doubling since 2019 are exaggerated.


McDonald’s, Big Mac, price increase, fast food, affordable meals, customer value, franchise, inflation, food industry, meal deals

According to McDonald’s, the average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. was $4.39 in 2019, and it is now $5.29, marking a 20.5% increase. Erlinger stressed the importance of providing accurate information to the public, given that McDonald’s serves nearly 90% of the U.S. population annually.


The $18 Big Mac Meal: An Outlier

Erlinger addressed a viral post on X from last summer about an $18 Big Mac meal in Connecticut, labeling it as an exception. He explained that 95% of U.S. McDonald’s locations are owned and operated by franchisees who set their own prices. Despite the independence of franchisees, they strive to minimize price increases to maintain affordability.


Average Big Mac Meal Price

Currently, the average price of a Big Mac meal, which includes a sandwich, fries, and a drink, is $9.29. While this price is notably higher than in the past, it does not reflect the dramatic increases suggested by some reports.


Price Increases of Other Menu Items

While the Big Mac's price increase has been modest, other menu items have seen steeper hikes. For instance, the price of medium fries has risen from $2.29 in 2019 to $3.29 now, a 44% increase. Overall, McDonald’s menu prices have gone up by an average of 40% over the last five years. This adjustment accounts for similar increases in the cost of labor, paper, and food.


Impact of Inflation on McDonald’s

McDonald’s experienced a slowdown in store traffic in the first quarter of this year due to inflation, which affected customer dining habits in the U.S. and other major markets. In response, the company has promised to introduce more deals to attract customers.


Upcoming $5 Meal Deal

To offer better value, McDonald’s plans to launch a $5 meal deal across the U.S. next month. This deal will include a sandwich, a four-piece McNugget, small fries, and a small drink. Erlinger expressed hope that customers will appreciate these upcoming deals and emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining value and affordability.


Erlinger’s message is clear: McDonald’s is focused on providing affordable options while navigating the challenges of increased operational costs. The company continues to work closely with franchisees to offer meaningful deals to its customers.



McDonald’s addresses exaggerated reports of Big Mac price increases, clarifying that the average U.S. Big Mac price has risen by 20.5% since 2019. The company is set to introduce a $5 meal deal to offer better value amidst inflation challenges.




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