McDonald’s is preparing another major push toward affordable dining as the fast-food giant looks to attract customers who are becoming increasingly careful about their spending. The company has started testing new meal bundles across approximately 1,900 restaurants in the United States, with plans to introduce a nationwide value program in early 2027.

The initiative comes as American consumers continue to face pressure from higher living costs, making affordable restaurant meals an important factor in dining decisions.

 

McDonald’s Tests Two New Affordable Meal Options

During its November 4 earnings call, McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski confirmed that the company had begun an eight-week test of two different value-meal formats.

The first option focuses on mix-and-match bundles, allowing customers to select different menu items based on their preferences. The second approach involves fixed meal bundles that combine selected products at an attractive price.

The tests are taking place across approximately 1,900 U.S. restaurants and cover different times of the day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

McDonald’s will evaluate customer response, restaurant operations and sales performance before deciding which format should become part of its national value strategy.

 

Nationwide Rollout Planned for Early 2027

The company expects to use the results of its testing program to develop a new nationwide value offering in early 2027.

According to Kempczinski, the objective is to create affordable options that appeal to customers while also supporting restaurant operators.

The company is also seeing interest from franchise operators. Around 4,000 additional restaurants have introduced similar entry-level meal bundles ahead of the formal test results.

However, the final nationwide menu, prices and participating offers have not yet been announced.

 

Why McDonald’s Is Focusing on Lower Prices

The renewed focus on affordable meals comes after a challenging quarter for the restaurant chain.

McDonald’s reported that comparable sales at its U.S. restaurants declined 0.2% during the July-September 2026 period. This marked the company's first U.S. comparable-sales decline since early 2025.

Customer traffic has also faced pressure as consumers look for cheaper alternatives, including competing fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and meals prepared at home.

McDonald’s has responded by restoring selected digital promotions, increasing its focus on entry-level meal deals and promoting its existing Extra Value Meals.

The company's current McValue offerings include breakfast deals and lower-priced items, although prices and participation vary by location.

 

Competition in the Fast-Food Industry Is Increasing

McDonald’s is not the only restaurant chain trying to attract budget-conscious customers.

Competitors such as Taco Bell and Burger King have also emphasized affordable menu options and promotional bundles to increase restaurant visits.

For McDonald’s, the challenge is to provide prices that customers consider attractive without placing excessive financial pressure on franchise operators.

The upcoming value program could become an important part of the company's strategy to strengthen customer traffic and improve its position in the highly competitive U.S. fast-food market.

 

What Customers Can Expect Next

For now, customers should not expect one new nationwide menu to arrive immediately. The company is still evaluating different combinations and pricing structures during its eight-week testing period.

If the trials deliver the expected results, McDonald’s plans to introduce a broader value program across the United States in early 2027.

The next phase will be important for the company as it attempts to balance affordability, customer satisfaction and restaurant profitability.

Source Attribution: This report is based on McDonald’s earnings-call comments and reporting from CBS News, Reuters, Associated Press and Restaurant Dive.