McDonald's Addresses Misleading Price Increase Reports: Affordability Remains a Priority

Chicago, Illinois, Illinois, USA United States of America
An $18 Big Mac meal cited as proof of radically higher prices is an exception rather than the rule.
McDonald's remains committed to affordability and value leadership despite inflationary pressures.
McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger acknowledges price increases for some menu items but denies reports suggesting average Big Mac price has doubled since 2019.
The average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. was $4.39 in 2019 and is now $5.29, an increase of 21%.
McDonald's Addresses Misleading Price Increase Reports: Affordability Remains a Priority

McDonald's Fights Back Against Exaggerated Price Increase Reports

McDonald's is denying reports suggesting that the average price of a Big Mac has doubled since 2019. The company acknowledged that some franchisees have set higher prices for their menu items but emphasized their commitment to affordability and value leadership in the industry.

According to McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger, the average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. was $4.39 in 2019, and it is now $5.29 – an increase of 21% (not 100%). Erlinger acknowledged that there have been marked slowdowns in store traffic due to inflation-weary customers eating out less often.

Despite the global pandemic and historic rises in supply chain costs, wages, and other inflationary pressures, McDonald's remains committed to keeping affordability at the forefront for its customers. The company is reportedly considering adding a $5 value meal promotion to the menu for a limited time to win back consumers.

The price increases have been a source of frustration and concern not just for customers but also for many franchisees. Erlinger noted that an $18 Big Mac meal, which has been cited as proof of radically higher prices, is an exception rather than the rule. He urged people to be aware that such reports can be misleading.

McDonald's is not alone in facing price pressures. The fast food industry as a whole has seen sales slow down and traffic dip due to consumers pulling back on spending in response to higher prices.

The company's CEO, Chris Kempczinski, emphasized McDonald's commitment to value leadership during an April 30 analyst call. He noted that the company wrote the playbook on value and is committed to upholding its position within the industry.

McDonald's is not alone in facing price pressures. The fast food industry as a whole has seen sales slow down and traffic dip due to consumers pulling back on spending in response to higher prices.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are all menu items experiencing a 21% price increase?
  • Is the $5 value meal promotion a permanent or temporary offer?

Sources

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

McDonald's: $18 Big Mac meal was 'exception,' news reports overstated price increases

ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Thursday, 30 May 2024 01:32
  • Unique Points
    • McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger denies media reports of significant price increases for Big Mac meals.
    • Franchisees own and operate most McDonald’s locations in the U.S., they set their own pricing but work to minimize price increases.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and news reports overstated its price increases

The Associated Press News Site (USA) Wednesday, 29 May 2024 21:52
  • Unique Points
    • McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger denies reports suggesting the average price of a Big Mac has doubled since 2019.
    • The average price of medium fries increased by 44% from $2.29 in 2019 to $3.29 now.
    • McDonald’s saw a marked slowdown in store traffic in the first three months of this year due to inflation-weary customers eating out less often.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

McDonald’s: Our prices haven’t risen as much as you think

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Danielle Wiener-Bronner Wednesday, 29 May 2024 21:34
  • Unique Points
    • McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski emphasizes affordability for customers and the company’s commitment to value leadership in the industry.
    • McDonald’s is reportedly considering adding a $5 value meal promotion to the menu for a limited time.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (80%)
    The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements in the article. She is simply reporting on McDonald's response to rumors of price increases and the potential impact on sales. However, there are instances of selective reporting and sensationalism that slightly lower the score. The author focuses on McDonald's denial of significant price increases while acknowledging that prices have indeed gone up, but she does not mention or provide context about how other fast food chains have also experienced similar price increases. Additionally, the title itself is sensationalized as it implies a much larger increase in prices than what is actually stated in the article.
    • Recently, we have seen viral social posts and poorly sourced reports that McDonald’s has raised prices significantly beyond inflationary rates. This is inaccurate,
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author is making an appeal to authority by quoting Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald's USA, to refute claims of significant price increases. However, she also provides context and evidence that some customers have experienced higher prices than the average. No formal or informal fallacies were found beyond this appeal to authority.
    • “Recently, we have seen viral social posts and poorly sourced reports that McDonald’s has raised prices significantly beyond inflationary rates. This is inaccurate,”
    • “It frustrates and worries me, and many of our franchisees, when I hear about an $18 Big Mac meal being sold — even if it was at one location in the U.S. out of more than 13,700,”
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

McDonald's exec says average menu item costs 40% more than in 2019

CNBC News Ece Yildirim Wednesday, 29 May 2024 19:55
  • Unique Points
    • McDonald’s average menu item price has increased around 40% since 2019.
    • The price for a 10-piece McNuggets meal is up 28% over the same period.
    • The price of medium fries increased 44% since 2019.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald's USA, stating that the average price of menu items has increased by around 40% since 2019. However, no evidence is provided to support that this increase is abnormal or excessive compared to industry standards or inflation rates.
    • ]A top McDonald's executive is weighing in on claims that the company has jacked up its prices.[/...]
    • [Erlinger said the average price of a Big Mac meal today is $9.29, up 27% from $7.29 in 2019.]
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

McDonald's Says $18 Big Mac Meal Is Just An 'Exception'

HuffPost Unknown AP Wednesday, 29 May 2024 22:07
  • Unique Points
    • McDonald's saw a marked slowdown in store traffic in the first three months of this year due to inflation-weary customers eating out less often.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication