If a Big Mac meal at $10 has you shaking your head, McDonald’s has heard you. The chain is testing a fresh batch of budget-friendly bundles, including a McChicken sandwich and small fries for $3.50.
The move follows a rough stretch for the fast-food giant. CEO Chris Kempczinski laid out the plan on Wednesday, according to the New York Post, after customer traffic declined and third-quarter sales came in low.
An Eight-Week Test In 1,900 Locations
McDonald’s launched an eight-week pilot program in 1,900 locations to try out mix-and-match and fixed-price bundles. The goal is to draw budget-conscious diners back in.
The mix-and-match lineup features choices like the McDouble, McChicken, 6-piece chicken nuggets and fries. Prices range between $3.50 and $4.00 depending on the market.
Participation varies by franchise owner, and what you can order depends on whether your local store is part of the test market or chose to run its own promotion.
“We Didn’t Land Like We Needed To,” The CEO Tells Investors
During an earnings call with Wall Street analysts, Kempczinski acknowledged that the chain fell short of expectations. He pointed to a failure to serve lower-income consumers who are looking for budget options.
The numbers explain why. U.S. comparable sales grew just 0.2% from July to September, down from 2.4% during the same period last year.
Total U.S. store traffic dropped 4.6% year-over-year, according to Placer.ai data.
“We didn’t land like we needed to,” Kempczinski told investors. “That’s what we’re in the midst of getting resolved right now through testing.”
The pairing of McChicken and small fries is the kind of simple combination a lot of us grew up ordering, and it is priced to compete with what many people can put together at home on a busy day.
The bundles are being tested on purpose. McDonald’s wants to see which combinations people actually pick before it commits to a menu for the whole country.
Franchisees Are Not Waiting For The Test Results
Roughly 4,000 operators have already introduced local meal deals to drive traffic. That means your neighborhood restaurant may have its own special even if it is not part of the official pilot.
Once the trials wrap up, McDonald’s plans a nationwide rollout of the new value menu in early 2027, after it sees which bundles are most popular.
Kempczinski also described the philosophy behind the plan. “Customers should see a clear and compelling value proposition every time they consider McDonald’s, whether looking for an affordable individual item, a complete meal, or a digital app offer,” he said.
From The $5 Meal Deal To 10 Items Under $3, And Still Customers Grumble
This is not the chain’s first run at the value crowd. In June 2024, McDonald’s introduced a $5 Meal Deal. The following year it debuted its McValue menu and Extra Value Meals, which offered a 15% discount on bundled items compared with buying them individually.
This April, the chain updated the McValue menu with 10 items under $3. Kempczinski noted, however, that only 60% of U.S. locations carried the updated menu.
Prices have been a sore spot for years. McDonald’s U.S. menu prices rose an average of 40% between 2019 and 2024. In May 2026, the chain drew criticism after updating its rewards program to increase the points required for free items.
One commenter online summed up the mood. “Where I am at 10 dollars for a Big Mac meal is unacceptable and I will not do it,” the person wrote, adding that they would not spend more than they would at a sit-down restaurant for a “value” meal that is not a value.
The takeaway from the chain’s own history is that deals come and go, and customers have learned to watch the fine print. A bargain that is only available at some restaurants can feel more frustrating than no bargain at all.
The Bigger Turnaround Plan Includes Modern Restaurants And An AI Drive-Thru Helper
McDonald’s announced a turnaround strategy called “NEXT” in June. It includes modernizing restaurants and investing more in employee training.
Kempczinski also said the company aims to expand the use of Archie, an AI assistant for drive-thru ordering, across the majority of U.S. restaurants by the end of 2027.
For a family, even small savings matter when you eat out a few times a month. Four people each grabbing a $3.50 bundle is still $14 before drinks and tax, so the deals work best for solo meals and quick stops.
How To Get The Most Out Of A Fast-Food Deal
Value menus change often and vary by location, so a little planning can stretch your dollars. These are general tips for any chain.
- Check the digital app offers before you order. Kempczinski named app offers as one of the three ways McDonald’s wants customers to find value.
- Ask the counter which bundles your local store is running, since each franchise owner decides whether to join the pilot or run its own deal.
- Do the per-person math. A $3.50 bundle for one person can add up fast for a family, so compare it with a grocery-store alternative.
- Look at the total at checkout before you pay, because drinks and add-ons can erase the savings.
- Be patient. The nationwide rollout is planned for early 2027, so if your store does not have the deal now, it may soon.
For anyone who has stood at a drive-thru screen wondering how lunch got so pricey, this is welcome news. Whether the $3.50 bundles win customers back is what McDonald’s will learn over the next eight weeks.
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