McDonald's Tests Value Bundles After U.S. Sales Decline

McDonald's is launching an eight-week test of mix-and-match and fixed-price meal bundles at 1,900 U.S. locations to reverse a decline in domestic restaurant traffic. The initiative follows a 0.2% drop in U.S. same-store sales between July and September, marking the company's first retreat since early 2025. This decline is attributed to high living costs and a challenging economic environment for consumers.

Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski announced the strategy to improve entry-level value, noting that customers should see a compelling value proposition whether they seek individual items or complete meals. While the corporate test is limited, approximately 4,000 franchisees have already independently implemented their own bundle offers. The move comes as competitors like Taco Bell offer menus with items priced at $3 or less.

Financial results for the third quarter showed mixed performance. The company reported revenue of $7.16 billion, missing Wall Street expectations, though net income rose 9% to $2.49 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $3.57 beat analyst forecasts. Global same-store sales increased 1.3%, supported by strong performance in Germany and Australia, which helped offset weakness in the United States and France.