McDonald’s Under $3 Menu Launches Today: Is It Really a Better Deal?

Starting today, McDonald’s U.S. customers will have access to the new Under $3 Menu, an updated McValue platform the burger chain claims offers more flexibility and better deals. However, don’t expect your next drive-thru visit to be meaningfully cheaper.

The new menu features breakfast, lunch, and dinner items all priced under $3. While this price point is attractive, it doesn’t match the value of the original McValue menu introduced last year. That version allowed customers to add a second item for just $1 when purchasing a full-priced item of equal or lesser value. The updated menu eliminates this buy-one, add-one for $1 option, disappointing many loyal customers.

Ultimately, whether the new menu saves you money depends on how you mix and match burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries. Previously, you could get a second item for $1; now, you pay under $3 for a single item. The true value may vary by location, as McDonald’s pricing can differ even within the same market.

According to fourth-quarter data from Technomic, some items now part of the under $3 deals may have already been available at that price in certain areas.

“McDonald’s is always experimenting with the architecture of their value offerings. As a marketing tactic, this is designed to draw more attention to the value they were providing.”
Heather Nelson, Senior Director of Syndicated Research at Technomic

When asked how the new menu might save customers money compared to the previous version, a McDonald’s spokesperson emphasized flexibility:

“The Under $3 Menu delivers on what [customers have] 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. Alongside other everyday value offerings like Meal Deals, customers now have more options to choose from – whether they’re looking for a quick snack or a complete meal.”

The menu change has sparked debate on forums like Reddit, where many customers express frustration over the loss of the $1 add-on offers. Some argue the new pricing leaves them worse off, while others claim the under $3 deals work in their favor.

The new Under $3 Menu retains the popular $5 Meal Deal, which McDonald’s introduced in 2024 amid inflation-driven price hikes.