McDonald’s Australia dramatically increases prices without telling ANYONE – here’s how much your next feed is set to cost you
- Price of some popular McDonald’s items have almost doubled in just three years
- A Big Mac cost $5.65 in 2019 and now costs $7.60 while soft serve now costs 80c
- Inflation has jumped to 6.1 per cent while wages have only grown by 2.6 per cent
Australians are calling out McDonald’s for almost doubling the price of popular items as the fast food chain battles rising inflation and production costs.
One Aussie went as far to say the new prices were a ‘joke’ in a Reddit thread where users shared what ‘subtle signs’ of a recession they had been noticing.
A comparison of the price of items in 2019 and those currently listed on sale in 2022 has revealed that even a soft serve cone now costs more.
A Big Mac (pictured) cost $5.65 in 2019 and now costs $7.60. To get the burger in a large meal cost $10.55 three years ago and now costs $13.95
A Big Mac cost $5.65 in 2019 and now costs up to $7.60. To get the burger in a large meal cost $10.55 three years ago and now costs up to $13.95.
The humble Filet-O-Fish which used to cost up to $5 now costs at least $6.75, while a simple hamburger has almost doubled in price from $2.50 to $4.15.
In 2019, a box of 20 McNuggets cost up to $12.40 and are now priced at $15.25 with a chicken snack wrap increasing by $2.45 – up from $2.50 to $4.95.
Even a soft serve cone, which cost 60c in 2019, now costs 80c.
Meanwhile for drinks, a large Coke cost $3.35 in 2019 and now costs $5.40 – while a large chocolate milkshake has surged $1.90 from $4.45 to $6.35.
Parents now fork out an extra $1.15 for a Happy Meal which now retails for $6.45 compared to 2019.
In 2019, a a box of 20 McNuggets would cost $12.40 and now priced at $15.25 with a chicken snack wrap (pictured) surging $2.45 from $2.50 to $4.95
Even a soft serve cone (left) which cost 60c in 2019, now costs 80c while McNuggets (right) have increased in price by over $2 in some cases
The price of menu items vary slightly across stores as franchisees are in some cases responsible for setting and adjusting the prices.
Richard Hill, the licensee of seven WA McDonalds outlets in Perth, said the price increase came down to rising inflation and production costs.
‘This is the toughest environment I’ve ever seen and I’ve been in the business for 40 years,’ he told PerthNow in July.
‘We’re paying double for a piece of equipment that we might’ve paid for two years ago because the cost of shipping around the world has dramatically changed.’
Last month, unhappy McDonald’s customers took to social media to complain the size of menu items like a McChicken and Filet-O-Fish were shrinking.
‘Have Mc Donald Filet-O-Fish always been this small? I don’t remember it being mini, kid-size like this?!’ one shopper wrote on Facebook.
One patron took to Facebook to complain about the noticeable size difference between a Filet-O-Fish compared to the eatery’s McChicken and a beef burger
Foodies in the comments were quick to agree with the unsatisfied customer as another claimed the burgers are now ‘super small’.
‘We had Big Macs last week. Not only have the buns shrunk but the meat patties were so thin we could see literally through them. Was as if they had sliced them in half,’ one member said.
‘Just like the quarter pounder, got its name as it was a quarter pound of beef, it’s barely that now,’ another replied.
‘Inflated price…deflated goods,’ a third added.
A spokesperson said ‘there have been no changes to the size of the burgers’.
‘We are committed to offering our customers great quality, great value burgers featuring 100 per cent RSPCA approved chicken and 100 per cent Aussie beef.’
McDonald’s denies the customer’s claims as a spokesperson said ‘there have been no changes’ to the outlet’s burgers
Australia’s cost of living crisis and rising inflation rates have affected almost every day-to-day cost including petrol, groceries, fast food and electricity.
Inflation has skyrocketed 6.1 per cent over 12 months, sparking soaring food and energy costs, while wages have only grown by 2.6 per cent.
Interest rates have continued to rise in line with inflation, pushing monthly mortgage payments up while energy bills continue to soar.
Vehicle owners will also have to deal with even pricier fuel in five weeks with the fuel duty cut due to end on September 28, set to make petrol prices jump about 22c/L.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted McDonald’s for comment on the price surge.
The secrets McDonald’s doesn’t want you to know: Ex-crew trainer reveals how to get hot fries, half-price burgers, free soft drink – and the meal you should NEVER order late at night
A former McDonald’s crew trainer has lifted the lid on some of the fast food giant’s best-kept secrets.
The Sydney man, who asked to remain anonymous, worked at McDonald’s for close to a decade while at school and university.
Six years later, the 26-year-old has shared the ordering tips every customer should know – including how to make sure your burger is fresh and chips are hot.
FRESH BURGERS
While McDonald’s boasts about making burgers ‘fresh to order’ – what they don’t let customers know is that the meat is pre-cooked and kept in a heated cabinet.
Workers are supposed to throw away meat after its timer goes off.
Customers who request their meat is made without salt and pepper are guaranteed a fresh burger, as kitchen staff will have to lay a new run of beef down on the grill.
If you’re after a fresh burger, ask for your meat to come without salt and pepper
FRESH FRIES
Like burger patties, fries can often be left to go cold if workers aren’t keeping track of how long each batch has been sitting there.
If you order your fries without salt, you are guaranteed hot and crispy chips.
Simply ask for some salt on the side – a free condiment at McDonald’s – and add it to your fresh fries (but be warned, you’ll infuriate the staff).
To guarantee fresh fries, ask for no salt. You’ll have to wait three and a half minutes while staff put a new batch into the deep fryer
ALLERGIES = FRESH FOOD
While staff are meant to change their gloves regularly, keep the burger-assembling bench clean and waste old meat – things can get out of hand during peak-hour.
If you’re wanting an immaculate burger made properly – I suggest saying you’re allergic to an ingredient or gluten free.
Kitchen staff take allergy requests very seriously – there’s a huge liability if a customer gets sick – so they will wear clean gloves, wipe down the bench and take extra precaution with your order.
Meat, fish, chicken and bacon are all placed in trays that are kept in heating cabinets (pictured above) with timers. Once those timers run out staff are told to waste the product
If you feel strange making the requests to an employee, the process of removing seasoning from your burger and fries is very simple on the self-serve machine. Simply click ‘customise item’ on the screen and follow the prompts
NO ICE = FREE SOFT DRINK
An old trick but a classic, if you’re extra thirsty but don’t have enough money to upsize your coke – ask for a soft drink with no ice.
Staff are trained to fill close to a third of the cup with ice in a bid to save money on soft drink.
But be warned, a ‘no-ice’ soft drink isn’t for everyone – it won’t be as cold as you’re used to and will be missing that refreshing icy kick.
NEVER ORDER A FILET-O-FISH LATE AT NIGHT
The Filet-o-Fish is an acquired taste, and as such the demand for it is significantly lower than other burgers like the Big Mac or Quarter Pounder.
As a result, the fish portion can often be left sitting in a heated shelf for hours – despite policy clearly stating it should be removed after its timer runs out.
If your heart is set on a late-night Filet-o-Fish, I suggest politely asking the manager if you can have a fresh burger.
How to get free Coke: Order a soft drink with ‘no ice’ – staff are trained to fill cups close to a third full with ice
PICKLES, TOMATO SAUCE, WATER, SALT AND PEPPER ARE FREE
Customers are technically entitled to order pickles, tomato sauce and salt and pepper for free – among other things.
Try your luck ordering a bulk amount of any of the above – I’ve seen a customer walk out with an entire bag of pickles for free.
Treating McDonald’s employees (stock image) with respect and kindness goes a long way
BE POLITE
If you want quality customer service and fresh food, you’d be surprised how big of a difference it makes treating the staff decently.
Employees working at the counter will almost always go out of their way to ensure customers get fresh burgers if they’re asked nicely.
Conversely, customers who treat staff like they are their slaves will more than likely end up with that old Cheeseburger or flat soft drink.
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