MCDONALD’S customers have filed complaints about a new item being trialled on select menus.
The offer was recently presented as a response to some financial difficulties that the fast food chain has been facing.
two
CEO Chris Kempczinski confirmed in an earnings call Monday that McDonald’s sales fell for the first time in four years during the second quarter of fiscal 2024, per Food and Wine.
Executives attributed the drop to low-income customers choosing to eat at home rather than going out to restaurants like McDonald’s due to inflation rates and rising prices.
Burger costs were a particular complaint for some customers, prompting the chain to undertake a “comprehensive rethink” of some of its value meals and other price points, according to Kempczinski.
Part of McDonald’s updated strategy apparently includes a new Big Arch burger, which is currently being tested in international markets including Canada, Portugal and an undisclosed third.
The Big Arch burger is said to be 14 ounces with two beef patties similar to the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, “McDonald’s hot sauce” and “crunchy toppings,” according to the CEO.
Kempczinski said during the July earnings call that the Big Arch was a “quintessential McDonald’s burger with a twist on our iconic, familiar flavors.”
More details about the burger were revealed at McDonald’s website in Portugal.
Along with the two burgers, the Big Arch features three slices of white cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and a “divine” sauce.
CFO Ian Borden said on the call that Big Arch testing would last several months before American customers would see it appearing on the menu at their local McDonald’s.
TO IMPROVE
Some who have tried the sandwich so far say McDonald’s push to improve its burger offering is already off to a rocky start.
“Oh, great; 14 ounces of disappointment…” fumed one customer at a recent wire on Reddit.
“Just call it ‘the Whopper, but not as good as Burger King’,” another fumed.
“Exactly what we needed!!… No one said,” wrote a third.
Someone just commented “yuck” to the Grand Arch.
Fast food meal deals
Here are some of the current value meals offered by popular fast food restaurants.
Taco Bell’s $7 Deluxe Cravings Box:
- Supreme Sloop
- Chunky five-layer burrito
- Double Stacked Taco
- French fries and nacho cheese sauce
- Average drink
McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal:
- McDouble or McChicken Sandwich
- Four-Piece Chicken McNuggets
- Small fries
- Small soda
Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag:
- Junior Cheeseburger with Bacon or Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Four-Piece Chicken Nuggets
- Junior fries
- Small soda
Burger King’s $5 Meal Your Way:
- Whopper Junior, Chicken Junior or Cheeseburger with Bacon
- Fries
- Four-Piece Chicken Nuggets
- Soft drink
COST CONCERNS
Others were concerned about the potential cost of the sandwich in the United States if it arrived, fearing it would cost at least $20 for a value meal.
Since 2023, several customers have identified items on the McDonald’s menu for higher prices than expected.
An $18 Big Mac combo in Connecticut caught the attention of customers across the country last year as they cried out that “the prices are crazy.”
In April, a $25 bag of Chicken McNuggets went viral in Southern California, with some dubbing it a “failed meal.”
McDonald’s further assured customers that it would focus on value and reducing prices through the end of 2024 and beyond.
That includes a $5 meal deal introduced earlier this summer and extended last month.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
