McDonald’s Australia finally addresses price hike claims

The fast-food giant has finally responded after its menu items were accused of being “ridiculously expensive” by frustrated customers.

McDonald’s has confirmed its restaurants are feeling the pinch as the cost of living crisis continues to affect businesses across the country.

Frustrated customers have accused the fast-food giant of hiking prices, with rumours circulating on social media its most popular menu items had increased by as much as 58 per cent.

Speculation began swirling after price comparison site Frugal Feeds claimed that a number of Macca’s items have dramatical risen in cost in the last three years in September last year.

While it’s hard to compare prices efficiently due to the fact McDonald’s is a franchise, meaning individual owners all charge slightly differently for the same food items – many Aussies had argued “Macca’s is now way more expensive”.

McDonald’s Australia has explained why its menu items have increased in price recently. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

“It’s insane, Macca’s is more expensive that sit down restaurants for the same quantity of food,” one lamented on Reddit recently.

“A cheeseburger cost me $5 today, but I remember when they were only three bucks,” another raged.

McDonald’s Australia has now responded to growing concerns, explaining to news.com.au the business has been affected by soaring production costs, including the price of buying ingredients and maintaining restaurants.

“Like all businesses we are operating in a higher-cost environment, which does impact the cost of running great restaurants in communities across Australia,” a spokesperson said.

“We will always work hard to provide our customers with great value.

“We’re committed to our ‘Value means more at Macca’s’ promise, which not only includes great everyday pricing but also providing great customer service, 24/7 convenience and focusing on year-round offers like our family bundles.

“Customers can also get great value at McDonald’s through My Macca’s Rewards and through our year-round Loose Change Menu.”

Your Big Mac really is costing you more. Picture: Paul J. Richards/AFP

Everything from rent to energy bills and the cost of purchasing necessary equipment has increased by as much as 29 per cent, forcing many Australian businesses to go bust in recent weeks.

As a result, many hospitality businesses have passed on price increases to customers in a bid to stay afloat.

A Perth franchisee with multiple restaurants confirmed there had been price increases at his restaurants, putting the decision 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 last year.

“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.”

The fast-food giant blamed the current ‘higher-cost environment’. Picture: Brendan Radke

Aussies aren’t thrilled, labelling the current pricing ‘insane’. Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP

Aussies, however, are not thrilled at the increased price of McDonald’s most popular menu items – including the Big Mac, Happy Meals and McNuggets – labelling current pricing a “joke”.

“The food is ridiculously expensive given the quality and portion size of it,” one wrote online.

“I spent about 8 bucks for a medium size cheeseburger meal today, what a bloody ripoff seriously. For that? Really?” another furious customer added.

Though many defended the burger chain, arguing “everything in Australia is expensive right now”, and that comparatively, McDonald’s still offered good value.

“Wages make up a large portion of getting that food to you,” one pointed out.

“McDonald’s price their food according to local conditions, just like they vary the menu according to local tastes,” another said.

Originally published as McDonald’s Australia finally addresses price hike claims