McDonald’s launches trial range called ‘Saver Meals’ by bundling burgers with side and a drink

Some McDonald’s lovers will be able to make a meal out of popular Saver Menu items from today – although the price of their burger will rise.  

The fast-food giant is trialling new Saver Meals, which will allow customers to bundle up items for a discount, as it reintroduces some fan-favourite menu items. 

It comes as the prices of five popular menu items rise from today as increasing food and energy costs put pressure on hospitality businesses.  

People are cutting back on takeaways as the cost of living crunch continues, with 41 per cent eating out less and 40 per cent not ordering as much food to be delivered. 

McDonald’s last changed its prices in July 2022, blaming inflation and rising costs.  

 A Cheeseburger or Mayo Chicken meal will cost £3.99, while a Double Cheeseburger meal will set you back £4.79 – cheaper than the traditional meal deals on the menu

The prices of five popular menu items at McDonald's are going up from today as the firm struggles with inflation and rising food costs. The chain is introducing Saver Meals, which will see a discount for bundled Saver Menu items

The prices of five popular menu items at McDonald’s are going up from today as the firm struggles with inflation and rising food costs. The chain is introducing Saver Meals, which will see a discount for bundled Saver Menu items 

McDonald’s announced a new Saver Meals scheme which will allow customers to get a side and a drink with Cheeseburgers, Double Cheeseburgers and Mayo Chicken burgers. 

Previously items on the Saver Menu had to be purchased individually, meaning there was no discount for buying them together. 

A Cheeseburger or Mayo Chicken meal will cost £3.99, while a Double Cheeseburger meal will set you back £4.79.  

The bundle will be trialled in 120 south-east locations for the next 12 weeks. 

If the promotion is popular, it is likely that it will then be rolled out to more locations.  

It comes as the price of five popular menu items at McDonald’s is set to rise due to the cost of living crisis. 

The chain, which has more than 1,200 UK restaurants, said that like many other business it had been hit by rising food and energy prices. 

Items affected include the Mayo Chicken burger, the Bacon Double Cheeseburger, the Bacon Mayo Chicken burger, the Triple Cheeseburger and the medium fizzy drink. 

The Mayo Chicken burger, which has long been a staple of the Saver Menu, will jump from 99p to £1.19, an increase of 20 per cent. 

The Mayo Chicken burger, which has long been a staple of the Saver Menu, will jump from 99p to £1.19

The Mayo Chicken burger, which has long been a staple of the Saver Menu, will jump from 99p to £1.19

The Bacon Mayo Chicken will rise to £1.79, a rise of 12.6 per cent from its previous price of £1.59. 

And the increases to the Saver Menu don’t stop there, as the Bacon Double Cheeseburger will now set you back £2.69 and the Triple Cheeseburger £2.89.  

A medium fizzy drink has increased by 10p, from £1.39 to £1.49. 

Prices already vary across restaurants as some are operated by franchisees, who set their own prices. 

A spokesman said: ‘We are committed to offering great tasting food at affordable prices. However, like many businesses, the impact of the increase in food and energy costs continues to affect our company and our franchisees.’

‘We carefully review and adjust pricing to offer great value and quality.

‘At the same time, we continue to work hard on how we can provide our customer’s value where it matters most, with personalised offers and rewards through the MyMcDonald’s Rewards scheme.’

Prices at the fast-food giant first rose in July 2022 when McDonald’s announced a number of increases across its menu, blaming rising inflation. 

The Cheeseburger jumped by 20p, a McFlurry by 10p and all McCafe hot drinks increased. 

The 20 McNugget Sharebox rose by £1 and breakfast and large meal combinations went up too.  

Today’s increases come as McDonald’s restaurants across the UK are introduce six new food items. 

But fans of some of the takeaway chain’s food and drinks won’t be Lovin’ It, as nine items featured on the menu will be removed to make space.

McDonald's hiked the price of its cheeseburger from 99p to £1.19 in July 2022- the first rise since 2008

McDonald’s hiked the price of its cheeseburger from 99p to £1.19 in July 2022- the first rise since 2008

A Double Cheeseburger did not go up but a Triple Cheeseburger will now set you back £2.89 as prices rise

A Double Cheeseburger did not go up but a Triple Cheeseburger will now set you back £2.89 as prices rise 

The new products will only be around for six weeks, so customers will have to be quick if they want to get their hands on them. 

All of the menu additions are old favourites making a comeback – including the Grand Big Mac, The Sun reported.

The stack of two beef burgers has a slice of cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and Big Mac sauce all in a sesame topped bun.

As with other signature McDonald’s burgers, the Grand Big Mac can come with bacon too.

The menu is also being spiced up a bit, with a £4.79 McSpicy burger added in – which costs £6.29 as part of a meal. 

Chilli Cheese Bites have also been brought in, but are replacing the popular Cheesy Garlic Bites.

The Grand Big Mac - a stack of two beef burgers with a slice of cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and Big Mac sauce all in a sesame topped bun - will be making a comeback

The Grand Big Mac – a stack of two beef burgers with a slice of cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and Big Mac sauce all in a sesame topped bun – will be making a comeback

Chilli Cheese Bites will also be brought in from Wednesday and are replacing the popular Cheesy Garlic Bites

Chilli Cheese Bites will also be brought in from Wednesday and are replacing the popular Cheesy Garlic Bites

They come in a portion of four chilli cheese bites in a crispy batter, costing £2.29 for Single or £6.29 for Sharebox.

The Galaxy chocolate and Galaxy Caramel McFlurry are also returning to menus, in the regular size for £1.99 or £1.49 for a Mini.

The famous desserts are made up of soft dairy ice cream, covered with chunks of Galaxy chocolate and topped with either chocolate or caramel sauce. 

Aero chocolate McFlurrys will be taken off the menu in exchange, which is likely to disappoint mint chocolate lovers.

Among the other items which will be removed from February 15 are The Spicy Sriracha Chicken One.

The chicken burger can be ordered with grilled or crispy batter. The Big Tasty is also being taken off, as is The Big Tasty with bacon.

And the Caramel Waffle Latte Hot Chocolate Deluxe is a drink which is being removed from the menu indefinitely.

The swapped-in items will only be available for a limited period of time, as part of the occasional menu revamp at the restaurant chain.

Items being removed 

  • Cheesy Garlic Bites 
  • Aero Peppermint McFlurry 
  • Aero Chocolate McFlurry 
  • The Spicy Sriracha Chicken One – Crispy 
  • The Spicy Sriracha Chicken One – Grilled 
  • The Big Tasty The Big Tasty with bacon 
  • Caramel Waffle Latte Hot Chocolate Deluxe

 

Items being added

  • McSpicy burger – £4.79 on its own or £6.29 as a meal 
  • Grand Big Mac – £4.89 on its own or £6.49 as a meal 
  • Grand Big Mac with Bacon £5.69 on its own or £7.29 as a meal 
  • Chilli Cheese bites – £2.29 for Single or £6.29 for Sharebox 
  • Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry – £1.99 for Regular or £1.49 for Mini 
  • Galaxy Caramel McFlurry – £1.99 for Regular or £1.49 for Mini

McDonald’s is not the only fast-food chain to be upping its prices as a result of supply-chain pressures. 

In January the bakery chain Greggs put up the price of its popular sausage roll to £1.20 – the fourth increase in a little over a year. 

The bakery chain said it saw costs go up by an average of 9 per cent during 2022, which lead to an increase in price for its lunchtime treats. 

Sandwich shop Subway has appointed JP Morgan to begin a sale after 58 years of family control. 

Founded in 1965 in Connecticut, the sandwich franchise has long been a family affair, with founder Fred DeLuca’s mother and sister working in the first location. 

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that the company is looking for a buyer for its 37,000 restaurants in more than 1100 countries. 

The rising cost of a Greggs sausage roll is revealed ¿ with the snack costing just 85p in 2016

The rising cost of a Greggs sausage roll is revealed – with the snack costing just 85p in 2016

The company has seen a number of scandals over recent years, including a 2021 class action lawsuit filed in California which said that there was no tuna in the shop’s sandwiches, a claim that Subway contests. 

Another lawsuit claimed that the chain was exploiting immigrants by misleading them about fees and encouraging competition in small areas. 

Earlier this month, The Mirror reported that the fried chicken chain Nando’s had put up prices by 16 per cent. 

A quarter chicken dish is now an extra £1.70 and delivery costs have also increased, with a full chicken platter now £27.75. 

A spokesman added: ‘We continue to work hard to absorb costs wherever we can and are committed to delivering the best value possible for customers.’ 

Pub brand Wetherspoons – which is in the process of selling off nearly 40 of its sites – has also hiked prices by 7.5 per cent. 

This sees an increase of 29p for pints and 75p on most food items.