AS THE COST-of-living crisis bites, the UK’s favourite fast-food chain has said that it has no choice but to increase some of its prices.
McDonald’s which has offered a £1 menu for the last 14 years now says that prices have to increase to £1.20. But the burger chain says that it has delayed and minimised the changes for as long as they could.
Alistair Macrow, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland told The Herald: “We know things are tough right now. We’re living through incredibly challenging times and we’re all seeing the cost of everyday items, such as food and energy, increase in a way many of us have never experienced. Just like you, our company, our franchisees who own and operate our restaurants, and our suppliers are all feeling the impact of rising inflation.
“Although we’re seeing increasing costs, we’re committed to developing and rewarding our people, supporting our suppliers and the 25,000 British and Irish farmers we work with, and continuing to help invest in community programmes up and down the country.
“At times like this, we know that providing great value is important. Since we opened in the UK in 1974, we’ve committed to offering great tasting food at affordable prices, and that commitment will not change. But, today’s pressures mean, like many, we’re having to make some tough choices about our prices.
“This summer, our restaurants will be adding between 10p and 20p to a number of the menu items impacted most by inflation. From today, we’ll be increasing the price of our cheeseburger for the first time in over 14 years, taking it from 99p to £1.19. Some prices remain unaffected, and some will continue to vary across our restaurants. We understand that any price increases are not good news, but we have delayed and minimised these changes for as long as we could. We will continue to listen to what you want from us and work tirelessly to find solutions to today’s cost challenges affecting our business.
“Providing you with the best combination of choice and value that we can in these extraordinary times remains our focus and is at the heart of the new rewards scheme we launched in the UK last week. My McDonald’s Rewards offers one point for every penny spent through our app on our iconic food and drink, and these points can be collected and redeemed for free food as well as charitable donations.
“We hope you love our new rewards scheme as much as you love our popular Monopoly promotion, which will return later in the summer with an even bigger prize pool and increased chances of winning.
“Thank you for being a McDonald’s customer and for your patience with our people as these changes are introduced.”
