McDonald's CEO issues caution about a forthcoming 'economic stratification'

In response to the pressure faced by middle and lower-income consumers in the fast-food industry, McDonald's Corporation (MCD) has announced the return of its Extra Value Meals. The move comes as CEO Chris Kempczinski warned of a "two-tier economy" and noted that traffic from these groups in McDonald's stores has declined by double digits.

The eight meal bundles offered by McDonald's include a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These include the Sausage McMuffin with Egg, Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle, Egg McMuffin, Big Mac, 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, and any variety of Quarter Pounder burger (original, bacon or deluxe), as well as any variety of McCrispy Sandwich (original, deluxe or spicy deluxe). Each meal is priced at a discount, with the Sausage McMuffin with Egg available for $5 and the Big Mac for $8.

Kempczinski made these remarks during an appearance on CNBC, stating that these offers are a response to the current economic situation, which he described as not as severe as the Great Recession, but still affecting upper-income consumers less than lower-income consumers. He noted that people are either skipping meals or eating at home, and that traffic for lower-income consumers in the fast-food industry is down double digits.

McDonald's has a history of offering value ladders, with entry-level items for those with limited budgets and premium items for those who can spend more. The company is planning to release more offers in November.

The stock price for McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is currently 315.76, with a 0.71% increase. The information provided is based on news from September 2, 2025, and the article was contributed to by FOX Business' Daniella Genovese.

(Image caption: A woman working in a McDonald's in Manhattan on Jan, 5, 2024, in New York City. [Image credit: Unsplash])

(Image caption: A person entering a McDonald's restaurant in New York City. [Image credit: Unsplash])