McDonald’s says price increase reports overstated

SUMMARY

McDonald’s responded to claims of significant price hikes, asserting that these reports are inaccurate. Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, clarified in an open letter that prices have not risen excessively beyond inflation. He addressed viral posts and reports about an $18 Big Mac meal, stating such instances are rare and unrepresentative. Erlinger emphasized that franchisees, who set prices for over 95% of U.S. locations, strive to minimize price increases despite inflationary pressures. Additionally, McDonald’s reported only a 0.7% sales increase in its Middle East licensed markets in the last quarter of 2023, affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.