CHICAGO — McDonald’s is trying to win back cash-strapped customers with cheaper food, CBS News reported.
CEO Christopher Kempczinski told Wall Street analysts Wednesday that the chain recently started an eight-week test of new lower-priced menu items at 1,900 U.S. restaurants. It is also testing “mix and match bundles.”
The company aims to roll out the new offerings nationwide in 2027, Kempczinski said.
The plan comes after McDonald’s reported U.S. comparable sales growth of only 0.2% from July to September, down from 2.4% a year earlier. Placer.ai data showed U.S. foot traffic down 4.6% from a year ago, according to CBS News.
Kempczinski acknowledged the company has not done enough for low-income diners looking for “great entry-level value.”
Economists say lower-income consumers are being hit hardest by higher food and gas prices. AAA data show gas prices have risen 38% since the start of the war in Iran, CBS News reported.
Sources: CBS News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: John Margolies / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
