Meal deals: McDonald's $5 special and other places to stretch your food buck this summer

The fast food value wars will heat up this week with McDonald’s offering a $5 value meal.

The meal, which comes with a choice of a McChicken or McDouble, a four-piece McNuggets, small fries and a small drink, will land in stores on June 25, the burger chain announced Thursday. It's a limited time offer.

But other fast food chains have already fired off promotions in hopes of getting price-conscious consumers in the doors or drive-throughs this summer.

Restaurants offer deals to bring customers back

Restaurants are seeing drop offs in business as customers have been turned off by high prices, said David Henkes, a senior principal at Technomic, a food industry research and consulting firm.

“It’s a big threat to the industry because people are finding it too expensive,” Henkes said. “Restaurants have gotten too expensive and consumers are pulling back and in response, a lot of restaurants are trying to figure out ways to drive traffic.”

Recent promotions on the landscape have included five roast beef sandwiches at Arby’s for $5; a Wendy’s $3 breakfast deal consisting of a Bacon or Sausage, Egg & Swiss Croissant and a small order of Seasoned Potatoes; and Potbelly deals in 13 markets, including a $9.99 Everyday Value Combo deal in Indianapolis with an original sandwich, chips and fountain drink.

Last month, McDonalds offered free McNuggets through the app for a day.

This summer, franchisees in communities across the U.S. will offer local deals at neighborhood McDonald’s, such as Buy One Get One for $1 breakfast sandwiches in Memphis, Tennessee, a Double Cheeseburger and small fries pairing for $3.50 in Columbus, Ohio, or a mix and match McChicken and McDouble deal for $3.99 in Western New York.

Here are current restaurant meal deals for about $5

Value Meal, McDonald's

(starting June 25)

$5

Includes a McChicken or McDouble sandwich, with a four-piece McNuggets, fries and a drink.

$5 Your Way Meal, Burger King

$5

Your choice of a Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger; with Value Fries, four chicken nuggets and a Value soft drink.

Biggie Bag, Wendy’s

Starting at $5 (444 Meal, $4)

A longtime menu item, Biggie Bags include a choice of a sandwich, four chicken nuggets, a junior fry and a soda.

There's also a Jr. Cheeseburger 444 Meal for $4, with fries, nuggets and a drink.

Pairings Menu, Starbucks

Starting at $5

Choose between a tall iced/hot coffee or tea paired with a butter croissant? or a tall iced/hot coffee ($5) or tea paired with a breakfast sandwich? ($6).

$4.99 Meal for One, KFC

$4.99

Two pieces of chicken – drum and high – with mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit.

Other promotions include $10 Tuesday, offering an eight-piece bucket of drums and thighs. And KFC has free delivery on Sundays throughout this summer for orders made at kfc.com or through the KFC app.

My Hut Box, Pizza Hut

Starting at $6.99

Get a choice of a two-topping Personal Pan Pizza half of a Melt, then add a side of fries or four boneless wings.

Cravings Value Menu, Taco Bell

Items under $3 each

Announced at the beginning of the year, this menu has 10 full-sized items that are each less than $3. They include a $1.29 Spicy Potato Soft Taco; $1.99 double Stacked Taco; a $2.79 Cheesy Double Beef Burrito and $2.99 Loaded Beef Nachos.

There’s also an online-only Build-Your-Own Cravings Box offer starting at $5.99 with a choice of a specialty item such as a Crunchwrap Supreme or Chalupa Supreme, with a choice of a classic item including a burrito, soft taco or burrito; a choice of a side and a choice of a medium fountain drink.

Chicken Rings, White Castle

$3.99

A dozen Chicken Rings in various flavors.

Other offers and deals are available through the White Castle app; many marking holidays or events.

All-Day Diner Deal, Denny’s

Starting at $5.99

Six options include eggs, burgers, steak and all-you-can-eat pancakes.

3 for Me meal, Chili’s

Starting at $10.99

The deal includes a choice of beverage, starter and main course.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meals for $5: Restaurants woo customers with summer deals