When you’re a foodie on a budget, fast food dollar menus can be a literal lifesaver. Maybe you’re on a road trip and don’t have time for an actual meal. Or, perhaps you forgot to pack lunch (again) and need to use whatever loose change you can find in your car. Whatever the situation, dollar menus might be the only thing our bank accounts truly love.
However, you might have noticed that these budget-friendly menus aren’t really around anymore.
The concept of value menus started a few decades ago. In 1989, Wendy’s introduced the first-ever dollar menu, which featured a junior hamburger, fries, or a drink.
All three menu items were priced at 99 cents.
Over the next few years, other fast food restaurants hopped on the dollar menu train. Burger King released their own version in 1998, and McDonald’s released one in 2003. And while the menus obviously changed over the years, customers became accustomed to these super affordable options.
The only problem? Dollar menus aren’t exactly money-makers.
In fact, McDonald’s was losing so much money because of the Dollar Menu that they dropped it in 2013. (*Insert uproar from fast food enthusiasts here.*) Unsurprisingly, folks were not happy about it, and the company lost quite a few customers. So, in 2017, McDonald’s re-launched a new dollar menu with items priced at $1, $2, and $3.
This type of value menu hasn’t been doing so well, though.
According to an article in Business Insider, experts say that McDonald’s may have “focused too strongly” on the original Dollar Menu.
In other words, budget-minded customers got too used to the $1 price tags.
And now, fast food restaurants are having a difficult time winning them back.
Of course, $1 to $3 is still affordable, but it can feel expensive compared to the original $1 menu.
That’s why fast food restaurants are attempting a new strategy called bundling.
Bundled meals might be called “value meals” or “meal deals.”
When you buy a bundled meal, you’ll spend less money than buying the items separately.
For example, McDonald’s has a new $6 Classic Meal Deal.
It includes an entree, drink, small fries, and even an apple pie.
You might recognize the concept from Taco Bell’s $5 Cravings boxes, too.
Meanwhile, Wendy’s has a 4 for $4 bundle.
The 4 for $4 includes eight sandwich options, along with fries, chicken nuggets, and a drink.
Burger King has a $6 King Box.
KFC, who is known for their Big Box Meals and Bucket Meals, is no stranger to bundles.
While these bundles will save you some cash, they’re not the same as the classic dollar menus.
Does your favorite fast food restaurant still have a value menu?
Well, enjoy it while you can.
It will be gone before you know it!
