McDonald’s says $18 Big Mac meal was an ‘exception’

McDonald’s is battling viral tweets and media reports that it claims have exaggerated its price increases.

In a post on the company’s website Wednesday, McDonald’s U.S. president Joe Erlinger said reports suggesting the average Big Mac price has doubled since 2019 were false. McDonald’s said the average U.S. Big Mac cost $4.39 in 2019 and now costs $5.29, a 20.5% increase.

“For a brand that proudly serves nearly 90% of the U.S. population every year, we feel a responsibility to ensure the real facts are available,” said Erlinger.

Erlinger acknowledged that he and many franchisees were frustrated by a post on X last summer about a Big Mac meal in Connecticut that cost $18, calling the price “an outlier.” He noted that franchisees own and operate 95% of McDonald’s stores in the U.S. and set their own prices, but “work hard to minimize the impact of price increases.”

The average price of a Big Mac meal in the US, which includes a sandwich, fries and a drink, is currently $9.29.

Still, the Chicago burger giant said the cost of some items has seen price increases greater than that of the Big Mac. The average price for medium fries was $2.29 in 2019 and is now $ 3.29, an increase of 44%.

McDonald’s said the average price of all menu items has increased 40% over the past five years, which represents an average 40% increase in the cost of labor, paper and food. This figure is higher than global consumer prices, which have increased by 21% since December 2019, according to government data.

McDonald’s saw a sharp slowdown in store traffic in the first three months of this year as inflation-weary customers in the U.S. and other major markets ate out less frequently. As a result, the company promised more business.

Next month, McDonald’s will be expected to introduce a $5 meal deal across the U.S., which will include a sandwich, a four-piece McNugget, small fries and a small drink.

Erlinger said he expects customers to find the company’s upcoming deals “significant.”

“It’s clear that we – along with our franchisees – must remain focused on value and affordability,” said Erlinger.