The McDonald’s Menu Change Sparking Nostalgia For The 99-Cent Era

McDonald’s customers are annoyed by what the fast food company just pitched as a bargain.

For a limited time, the McDouble will be available on the company’s “McValue” menu for $2.50. But social media commenters are pointing out that this “value” only highlights how much prices have increased in a short period, as the same sandwich once cost $1.

People were further incensed when McDonald’s discontinued its popular “Buy 1, Get 1 for $1” promo in late April. That’s been replaced by the “Under $3” menu that includes the McDouble and other items, many of which were included in the earlier promotion. 

“Look, it was my go-to lunch for work every single day. Quick, easy and 5 bucks for lunch. That’s gone, so am I,” one commenter wrote. “No reason else to go. Might only be 1 person, but that’s one customer gone.” 

“Anyone remember when McDoubles used to be 99 cents? It was only 10 years ago …” one Reddit user noted. 

“All these were 99-cent items, then it [turned] into a ‘value’ meal, then we have what we got now,” another commenter observed. 

“Thing was a dollar, they sell billions of burgers and I’m supposed to be impressed by 2.50?” a third agreed.

McDonald’s pushed back against those criticisms, insisting that their offerings remain a great value.

“Our focus has always been on listening to our customers and meeting their needs,” McDonald’s USA said in a statement, per Fox News Digital.

“That’s why McValue was built as a flexible platform designed to evolve with them. The under $3 menu delivers on what they’ve told us matters most: consistently great prices on their favorite items and the freedom to order what they want, when they want — no bundling required.”

The fast-food chain is also facing backlash for continuing to phase out its self-serve beverage stations, which many dine-in customers valued for free refills. 

“As confirmed in 2023, McDonald’s will be transitioning away from self-serve beverage stations in dining rooms across the U.S. by 2032,” the company said in a statement this week. “The change is being rolled out over 10 years, and is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether that’s McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru or in-restaurant.”