Burger King Plans to One-Up McDonald's With New Value Meal Offering

Burger King is reportedly planning to beat McDonald's to its own promotion, after the chain announced that it would be introducing a $5 value meal earlier this month. And not only will Burger King launch its own value meal ahead of its competitor, but it will run for longer.

McDonald's revealed plans for the $5 meal—which will include a small French fries and beverage, along with a choice of a McChicken, a McDouble, or a four-piece Chicken McNuggets—amid skyrocketing prices and inflation. However, it quickly became apparent that the deal was perhaps not all it's cracked up to be when it came to light that the meal would only run for a month and many franchise owners, who set their own prices, were rejecting it outright.

In an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg News, Burger King's "Your Way Meal" value meal will also cost $5 and will include a choice of one of three sandwiches with nuggets, fries, and a drink. Franchisees reportedly voted to approve the deal in early April, over a month before McDonald's announced its own promotion. And unlike McDonald's, Burger King's value meal will be available for several months as opposed to four weeks.

In addition to the $5 value meal, Burger King is said to be testing two other value platforms that could launch in the second half of the year.

Fast food chains are hoping to lure back cash-strapped customers who can't afford to eat out anymore, particularly amid shrinking or disappearing value menus. Earlier this week, Wendy's announced its own $3 breakfast meal deal that includes either a Bacon, Egg, & Cheese English Muffin or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese English Muffin with a side of seasoned potatoes.

A launch date for the Burger King "Your Way Meal" is TBD, but McDonald's plans to kick off its own promotion on June 25.