Customers Say McDonald’s Just Isn’t Worth It Anymore - And the Company’s Own Numbers Prove It

McDonald's has always helped you stretch your fast food budget further. But today's iffy economy and ever-present inflation have changed the way you spend, leaving you to wonder if the golden arches still have the best bargains in town.

The popular low-priced eatery just released the company's second-quarter report, and U.S. sales growth fell flat. Beyond the overall earnings, McDonald's customer count took a hit. In other words, consumers aren't showing up for Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets as they have in the past.

Before ordering your next meal, keep reading for more info on McDonald's cost-versus-value and how customers really feel about the restaurant's deals.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

McDonald's sales growth in 2026

Even though McDonald's sales didn't increase dramatically in the second quarter of 2026, the brand isn't exactly in trouble.

Total U.S. sales did increase, but only marginally. But the modest 0.8% increase is significantly smaller than the company's first-quarter growth (3.9%).

Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski shared, in a press statement, "While our playbook is working around the world, we see an opportunity to raise the bar in the U.S. and accelerate performance in our largest market."

Kempczinski also said, on the company's second-quarter earnings call, "After a solid start to the year, business slowed significantly," adding, "This was below our expectations." The CEO explained, "We don't have a strategy problem. We simply didn't execute at the level we needed to in the second quarter."

Are consumers leaving McDonald's?

While it doesn't look like consumers are leaving the fast food eatery for good, last quarter's numbers do show a decline. This begs the question, "Why?"

To fully understand whether the brand's loyal customers aren't happy with the prices, the food, or something else, we scoured social media to see what McDonald's fans are posting about the eatery online.

What do customers say about McDonald's prices and the food?

The McDonald's subreddit is a gold mine of information for consumers wondering about the prices.

Reddit user post_status_423 recently questioned, "When did McDonald's get so expensive?" The Redditor continued, "Seriously, $9.99 before tax for a Quarter Pounder with cheese? It has been a good decade since I stopped in at Mickey D's, but still…talk about sticker shock."

Of course, the comments didn't end there. Redditor Browniesgiel wrote, "For my family of four it costs about $48. I fed my family at the local Italian restaurant for $50 (we had a veal dinner too). It's crazy the prices McDonald's is charging," and Pinkdivaisme added, "It's consistently creeped up, especially over the last three years."

McDonald's Redditor gmoney-0725 pointed out, "Prices go up. Food quality goes down. Prices go up. And they wonder why sales go down."

What do customers say about other fast food chains' prices?

Of course, McDonald's isn't the only fast food restaurant consumers complain about. On the Fast Food Reddit, one user wrote, "I've basically stopped going to Wendy's now that they don't have anything resembling good app deals/coupons anymore."

Another Redditor responded, "Stopped getting fast food as much and instead get takeout from mid-priced restaurants since the cost is about the same, but the food is better."

Is McDonald's making company-wide changes?

The company already has its "next" plan in the works. Known aptly as NEXT, the comprehensive strategy aims to elevate the menu, introduce AI/automated processes, and more.

Kempczinski announced, "On October 5th, we'll officially launch a program to retrain the two million-plus restaurant crew, company employees, and supplier partners who work under the Golden Arches on gold standard taste, quality, and hospitality."

Why that particular day? October 5 is Ray Kroc's birthday. While Kroc didn't found the company, he is credited with transforming it into the fast food empire it is today.

Does McDonald's still offer value options?

Yes, McDonald's still offers value-priced options along with the company's main menu. CFO Ian Borden said during the Q2 earnings call, "In late April, we augmented our McValue program with a new under-$3 everyday affordable price, or EDAP menu. Similar offerings have been consistently successful across our top international markets. We also added a $4 breakfast meal deal."

Borden continued, "Inconsistent restaurant-level execution of the EDAP menu and consumer awareness levels below target resulted in lower incrementality than we expected. At the same time, the business pulled back on digital offers and removed our Buy One, Add One for $1 feature to offset the investment behind McValue. In combination, all of these factors negatively impacted visits from some of our most loyal customers."

How can you save money at McDonald's?

Even though the prices may seem steep for fast food, you can still save money.

Technology has made getting freebies and discounts a breeze. Use the app to score exclusive deals.

Not a fan of online ordering? The Value Menu Borden talked up features $4 breakfast Meal Deals on Sausage Biscuits and Sausage McMuffins, $4 lunch Meal Deals on McChicken sandwiches and the McDouble, and Under $3 breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus featuring four-piece Chicken McNuggets, a McChicken, a McDouble, and other fan favorites. Keep in mind, prices, availability, and menu options vary by area and are subject to change.

Bottom line

The rising cost of food has made dining out a challenge for many Americans. While McDonald's offers a budget-friendly alternative to overpriced upscale eateries, some customers aren't satisfied with the overall value.

If restaurant fare is no longer a viable economic option for your family, here are a few easy ways to save money on groceries. Choose generics over brand-name buys, scour online circulars for the best deals, and download a free app to compare costs between stores.

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