It’s official: McDonald’s launches a $5 Meal Deal

About a month ago, rumors started to swirl that McDonald’s, like a lot of the rest of the fast food world, would be embracing the cheap meal deal trend. And now it’s official. Per PR provided to Guilty Eats by a rep for McDonald’s, the $5 Meal Deal will hit stores for a limited time on June 25, 2024.

“We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA via a press release provided to Guilty Eats. “Value has always been part of our DNA. We’re focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors, go through our drive thru or place an order through our app.”

So what is in the $5 Meal Deal at McDonald’s? And is it, indeed, a good deal? Here’s what’s on offer, first. Starting on June 25, $5 at participating restaurants will get you: either a McDouble, or a McChicken sandwich (your choice); a small order of fries; a four-piece Chicken McNuggets; and a small soft drink, again of your choice.

A cursory glance at my local McDonald’s menu - and mind you, I’m in New York City where the prices for fast food are obscenely high at pretty much every chain - shows that a McDouble on its own is $4.69, while the McChicken is $4.19. Meaning at least locally, yes, I can confidently say this is a great deal if you’re getting McDonald’s, as you’re getting fries, a soda, and chicken nuggets for under a dollar.

While the end date for the $5 Meal Deal is TBA, fingers crossed they add it to the menu permanently if the item is popular – particularly because folks need this sort of financial relief right now.

On to the other offers on tap, McDonald’s is kicking off Free Fries Friday every Friday, with a free medium fries in the app with any $1 or more purchase. And next month on National French Fry Day, which is Saturday, July 13, you can get free fries, any size, no purchase necessary. Yes, savvy fans will note you can get a free medium fries on Friday, July 12, and then free fries on Saturday, too. Not too shabby. Of note, the Free Fries Friday deal will last until the end of 2024.

McDonald’s also notes there are a bunch of local deals to check out. In Memphis, Tennessee there are BOGO $1 breakfast sandwiches. Head to Columbus, Ohio, and you can snag a Double Cheeseburger and small fries for $3.50. And in Western New York, you can mix and match a McChicken and a McDouble for $3.99.

Basically this is telling me: I need to get out of New York City. But until then, I guess I’ll snag that $5 Meal Deal.