McDonald’s is set to shake things up with its menu beginning in 2025, as the fast-food giant introduces the new "McValue" menu aiming to regain customer allegiance following recent price hikes and health scares. The McValue menu is poised to hit U.S. restaurants on January 7, 2025, featuring popular budget-friendly options and new items to entice consumers.
The highlight of the McValue menu will be the immensely popular $5 meal deal launched earlier this year, which hit the sweet spot for many customers seeking value. Complementing this will be the introduction of the “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer, which even extends to breakfast items, allowing customers more flexibility and affordability.
After facing several tough quarters, McDonald’s has felt the sting of rising prices, with menu item costs increased by approximately 40% over the past five years due to inflation, according to the company. "When itcomes to value, we know there's no one-size-fits-all. We've worked closely with our franchisees to create a new platform..." said Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald's USA, as he unveiled the new strategy. The expectations for this new menu are high, as many customers have begun to feel alienated by the brand's increasing prices.
Adding to the urgency of this menu shift is the recent E. coli outbreak tied to the fast-food chain, which caused significant damage to its sales and reputation. This incident resulted in one fatality and several hospitalizations, prompting McDonald’s to allocate $100 million for marketing to help franchises severely impacted by the health scare. The latest efforts signal the company's commitment to restore customer confidence and safeguard its value perception.
Among the exciting updates is the return of the beloved Snack Wrap, which will be back on the menu, much to the delight of its loyal fans. "The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025... This has a cult following..." confirmed Erlinger during an interview on Good Morning America. Originally launched in 2006, the Snack Wrap had been discontinued in 2016 but is set to make its return following overwhelming customer demand.
Alongside familiar favorites, McDonald’s will be rolling out new items across the menu starting January 6, including the Chicken Katsu One wrap, consisting of crispy or roasted chicken drizzled with katsu sauce, crispy onions, fresh lettuce, all wrapped snugly within a toasted tortilla. This offering echoes the company’s responsiveness to customer requests for previously successful items, such as the much-missed Katsu chicken nuggets.
The BBQ Ranch Stack is another exciting newcomer featuring two beef patties with emmental cheese, lettuce, bacon, crispy onions, just the right amount of creamy ranch dressing, and sweet barbecue sauce, expertly sandwiched between glazed sesame seed buns. There will be sweet indulgence too, as the Milky Way McFlurry promises to be the perfect dessert to close the meal—complete with soft ice cream, milk chocolate stars, and malt-flavored chunks, all drizzled with rich chocolate sauce.
Interestingly, this new menu is being implemented initially only at U.K. locations, with uncertainty about when, or if, these items will reach American shores. The Chicken Katsu One will sell for £3.49 and entails potential promotional pricing available on certain days.
Fast food lovers should also watch for additional items making their comeback. McDonald's McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse is returning, featuring crispy chicken breast subtly enveloped in smoky barbecue sauce, topped with cheddar cheese and crunchy lettuce. Plus, fans of cheesy indulgences will be thrilled to see the Mozzarella Dippers also making their way back to the menu, now offered in shareable sizes of three or nine pieces.
Expectations are high for McDonald’s upcoming offerings as they hope to attract more budget-conscious consumers seeking value and quality. The fast-food events of 2025 will show whether this revitalized approach to menu pricing and selections will resonate with patrons disillusioned by current economic strains.
The efforts are not limited to just food; McDonald's has introduced the Grinch-themed Happy Meal, which offers festive toys, card games, and exclusive Christmas stories, effectively engaging the family market during the holiday period. Overall, McDonald's is actively positioning itself as not just another fast-food option, but as the go-to destination for value-oriented meals and experiences.
