In recent years, Americans have expressed their frustrations with the ever-increasing prices at their favorite fast food restaurants. So much so that millions of people have stopped eating fast food altogether.
Finally, in response to failing sales, several companies like McDonald’s and Burger King have decided to offer significant discounts to improve customer retention. But one popular chain is undercutting all others with an impressively affordable $4 meal deal.
Two-Thirds of Americans Are Cutting Back on Spending
There is no denying that the cost of living in the United States has increased far beyond what most people consider reasonable. Millions of Americans are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet, let alone afford anything that might be considered an “extra.”
Because life is more expensive than ever before, two-thirds of Americans say they have cut back on daily spending, and that includes eating out at fast food restaurants.
Americans Can No Longer Afford Fast Food
Realistically, millions of Americans have started cutting back on visits to their favorite fast food chains for two main reasons. On the one hand, life is so expensive that millions of people are having to substantially reduce superfluous spending.
But on the other hand, many argue that fast food has become so expensive, it’s simply not worth it anymore. And finally, it seems fast food chains are paying attention to this complaint.
McDonald’s Finally Caved and Offered a $5 Meal Deal
For the first time in decades, fast food giant McDonald’s has seen a decrease in sales from the year before. The company has admitted that, even though inflation played a big role in its increased prices, corporate greed was also a contributing factor.
In response to disappointing sales during the first half of 2024, as well as ongoing customer frustration, McDonald’s decided to offer a $5 meal deal at almost all locations to reignite consumer spending and satisfaction.
Burger King Announces $5 Your Way Meal
Around the same time that McDonald’s announced its new $5 meal, Burger King released an essentially identical offering.
McDonald’s meal deal included either a McDouble or a McChicken, with a small drink, fries, and four-piece chicken nuggets, and Burger King offered customers the choice between a Whopper Jr., a Bacon Cheeseburger, or a Chicken Jr., with a drink, fries, and four chicken nuggets. Both of which are $5 before taxes.
The Now-Famous $4 Krispy Krunchy Chicken Deal
Customers around the country were thrilled by both Burger King’s and McDonald’s $5 deals, but one of their competitors decided to undercut the two fast food giants and offer their customers a meal deal for a whole dollar less.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken, which has more than 2,700 locations across 47 states, announced that its $4 meal deal would be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at almost every restaurant, all summer long.
What’s in the Krispy Krunchy Chicken $4 Meal?
The now famous Krispy Krunchy Chicken $4 meal includes two pieces of dark meat or tenders, as well as a homemade honey biscuit and potato wedges. Additionally, the restaurant chain said customers can enjoy a three-piece meal for only $6 and a four-piece for just $8.
While the restaurant has always offered a $4 chicken meal, the new value option is different in that it includes potato wedges. However, it’s interesting to note that none of these meal deals include a drink like the other companies’ offerings.
Is the Krispy Krunchy Chicken Meal Still a Better Deal?
Deciding whether the Krispy Krunchy Chicken meal is a better deal than the $5 meal from McDonald’s or Burger King is really a personal decision.
Some say they’d rather save the dollar and skip the drink, but others say the soda is definitely worth an extra buck to complete the meal.
Is Krispy Krunchy Chicken Better Quality?
Still, some customers argue that the Krispy Krunchy Chicken $4 value meal is a far better deal simply because the quality of the food is far superior to that of McDonald’s or Burger King. And the company has promised that even though they’re decreasing prices, their revered quality will remain the same.
Krispy Krunchy CEO Jim Norberg explained, “Value is more important than ever in today’s economy, and that’s especially true for our operators’ guests. So as these guests demand more value, we’re finding a way to make it happen without compromising on quality.”
Wendy’s Went as Low as $3 for a Breakfast Combo
It’s interesting to note that Krispy Krunchy’s deal isn’t technically the cheapest in town. Wendy’s famously offered a $3 breakfast combo all summer long.
However, since the deal only included two selected items, some say that it wasn’t nearly the same value for money as the other big-name chains were offering.
Some Companies Are Using Different Tactics to Lure in Customers
Companies like McDonald’s, Burger King, Krispy Krunchy, and Wendy’s have certainly received positive feedback for their new meal deals. But other restaurants have decided to regain customers with a different tactic.
Brands like Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Subway decided to improve their rewards programs and offer significant discounts for members instead. And it seems this solution seems to be working extremely well, too.
Will the Fast Food Industry Recover?
Over the past year, many wondered if the long-standing American fast food industry would be able to survive the growing cost of living and changing preferences of the nation’s consumers.
However, if this summer has shown us anything, it’s that these companies are resourceful and will certainly find ways to keep customers coming back for more.
