Caitlyn Moorhead

Sat, May 24, 2025, 9:01 AM5 min read

When restaurants sets prices, they take several factors into consideration. First, there’s the cost of goods and labor used to create their menu items and serve the food. That would also include overhead like electricity costs, property fees and employee salaries and benefits. Inflationary pressures and supply-chain challenges can also influence costs. Finally, the laws of supply and demand come into play, along with how much of a price increase the market can bear.

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In other words, while customers may be swallowing price increases from McDonald’s and other fast-food chains, they aren’t likely to pay $10 for a Happy Meal. So, unhappily as of 2025, Happy Meal pricing can fall between $4 and $8 at most locations but as much as $10 to $15 at others. Obviously for many, that is not worth the price of the toy.

Given how disgruntled even loyal McDonald’s enthusiasts are with price hikes, the chain will continue to evaluate customer research to ensure they still feel they are getting a good value. However, as former value menu items creep above $10, many are asking a simple question: Is McDonald’s still the best deal in town?

For decades, McDonald’s has been synonymous with fast, affordable food. From the iconic $1 menu to the reliable combo meals, it has long been the go-to option for a quick bite on a budget. Yet recently, many customers are fit to be fried with the rising cost of food, with headlines and social media posts revealing a growing concern among consumers.

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Not long ago, a few bucks could get you a satisfying meal, but today, prices at McDonald’s vary widely depending on location, and in some cities, a Big Mac meal can cost as much as $18. The Dollar Menu –once a symbol of affordability — has evolved into the “$1 $2 $3 Menu” or the the “Buy One, Get One for $1” option, which works for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

You simply buy one item from the menu and can get the second for just a buck. Here are examples of some favorites you can snag for $1 when you double up:

• Sausage McMuffin

• Sausage Biscuit

• Sausage Burrito

• Hash Browns

• McChicken

• Double Cheeseburger

• 6-piece Chicken McNuggets

• Small Fries

There is also the $5 Meal Deal at McDonald’s, which includes a McChicken or McDouble sandwich, four chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.