Americans have become inflation-fatigued after dealing with month after month of rising food prices, including at fast-food establishments and sit-down restaurants.
Some consumers have become so irked by price increases that they’ve stopped visiting the drive-thru altogether. But food giants like Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s have taken notice, with many launching value meal deals this year in hopes of drawing in more customers.
One of the first to serve up a promo, McDonald’s in June offered a $5 value meal in response to customer criticism of menu price hikes. The promo, which began June 25 and ended last week, according to the fast-food chain, included a choice of McChicken sandwich, McDouble hamburger or four-piece chicken nuggets, plus small fries and a small drink.
Here’s a list of food promos currently being offered by popular restaurant chains:
Burger King
In June, the home of the Whopper began offering a $5 meal to compete with McDonald’s. The $5 meal offers customers a choice of one of three sandwiches along with chicken nuggets, fries and a drink. The burger chain didn’t give an exact time frame for the offer, but said the $5 meal would begin on a trial basis.
Chili’s
Chili’s added a chicken sandwich and cheeseburger to its pre-existing lower-priced menu in April. The restaurant chain said customers can order either of those items, plus fries and a drink, for $10.99 from its 3 for Me menu. Chili’s first launched 3 for Me in 2022.
Denny’s
The restaurant that gave America the Grand Slam breakfast revived its $5.99 All-Day Diner Deals in April. The deal offers customers a choice of quarter-pound cheeseburger, country fried steak, scrambled eggs and cheddar or all-you-can-eat pancakes. Denny’s hasn’t revealed if or when the promo will end.
IHOP
Speaking of all-you-can-eat flapjacks, the pancake restaurant chain IHOP is offering all-you-can-eat pancakes for $5 until September 15. The promotion is for dine-in customers at U.S.-based locations only. Customers who choose to partake in the promotion will get a full stack of five buttermilk pancakes to begin with, followed by additional flapjacks served two at a time, on an as-requested basis.
KFC
KFC began offering its Taste of KFC Deals in April. One of the meals includes two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit for $4.99. Another value meal, offered on Tuesdays, entails a bucket of eight pieces of chicken for $10. KFC said both promos will last until the end of 2024.
Starbucks
In June, Starbucks launched its “pairings” menu, which allows customers to buy a tall-sized hot or iced coffee or tea and a croissant for $5. Under the deal customers can also get a tall-sized coffee or tea with a breakfast sandwich at $6 or $7, depending on the sandwich. Starbucks hasn’t revealed when the pairings menu deal will end.
Taco Bell
Last month, Taco Bell introduced its $7 Luxe Cravings Box. The meal includes a Chalupa Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a Double Stacked Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce and a medium drink. The Yum Brands-owned chain said Luxe Cravings is a temporary promotion but didn’t say when the deal would end.
Wendy’s
In May, Wendy’s began offering customers a $3 breakfast combo deal that includes an egg and cheese English muffin sandwich with bacon or sausage, and a small side of seasoned potatoes. Breakfast hours begin between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time, depending on the restaurant, according to the Wendy’s website. Breakfast ends at 10:30 a.m. at the latest.
Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.
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