Overview

• Starting Sept. 8, McDonald's will offer eight Extra Value Meals, including a $5 Sausage McMuffin with Egg breakfast and an $8 Big Mac combo priced about 15% below buying items separately.
• CEO Chris Kempczinski said lower-income customer traffic is down by double digits, with many consumers skipping breakfast or choosing to eat at home.
• Analysts warn the nationwide push on value could pressure competitors to roll out similar deals and strain industry margins, given the scale of McDonald's discounts.
• Market research from Circana shows traffic tied to value menus rose 1% in the quarter ending June 2025 even as overall restaurant visits fell, with lower-income households most responsive to lower prices.
• Kempczinski signaled support for a single federal minimum wage for restaurants and said McDonald's is open to a higher federal minimum, noting ongoing discussions with the White House.