MCDONALD’S fans are in meltdown over the cost of the chain’s iconic hash brown – with some claiming it makes more sense to buy them from Aldi.
Social media has been sent into overdrive with several fans crying out for cheaper prices.
Social media has been sent into overdrive with several fans crying out for cheaper prices[/caption]
It all started with the reveal of the hash brown price, as one person posted online: “How’s McDonalds charging $4.35 for a hash brown”.
Social media sleuths soon figured out that this poster was from Australia, so he was referring to a non-American price.
The $4.35 would be equivalent to about $2.82 in U.S. dollars.
This unleashed the floodgates online, with many believing the high price to be the end of cheap, fast food options.
One person wrote online: “Biggest rip off!!!! You can get a bag of them from Aldi for that price.”
Another said: “Potatoes less than a dollar at the supermarket & a hash brown is like 1/5th of a potato.”
Jonathan Maze, the editor in chief of Restaurant Business, claimed that the hash brown was simply the scapegoat here.
He believes that the problem with rising prices goes far beyond just McDonald’s.
Maze commented: “The fast food world is supposed to be cheap, in theory, and when they see this inflation in restaurants that they perceive to be the lower-priced option, it makes them angry.”
In a comment obtained by The Washington Post, McDonald’s said: “Great value has always been part of McDonald’s DNA, and that commitment remains strong today.”
HOW ARE THE COSTS DECIDED?
McDonald’s hands over a lot of control to its franchisees and allows them to set prices based on their local conditions.
This includes business-related costs such as rent and labor, so the price of a hash brown will vary depending on where you are.
Typically, prices are higher for items in cities or towns with a higher cost of living.
According to Technomic, $2.38 is the average price for a hash brown in the US.
Fast Food meal deals
Here are some of the current value meals offered by popular fast food joints.
Taco Bell’s $7 Luxe Cravings Box:
- Chalupa Supreme
- Beefy Five-Layer Burrito
- Double Stacked Taco
- Chips and nacho cheese sauce
- Medium drink
McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal:
- McDouble or McChicken sandwich
- Four-piece Chicken McNuggets
- Small fries
- Small soft drink
Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag:
- Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Junior fries
- Small soft drink
Burger King’s $5 Your Way Meal:
- Whopper Junior, Chicken Junior, or Bacon Cheeseburger
- Fries
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Soft drink
Note that the general range is around $1.99 to $3.99 for a single hash brown in the US.
Putting a location into the McDonald’s app to find the different prices is one of the best ways to find out what you’ll be paying.
The highest price point for a hash brown can be found in cities like San Francisco, California.
But in downtown Boston, you can pick one up for just $1.99.
There is a way around the higher prices for the hash browns, though, as you can rely on a tried and true McDonald’s deal to save you money.
Hash browns are on the chain’s national “buy one, add one for $1” deal, so if you’re feeling extra hungry, save money and treat yourself.
According to Technomic, $2.38 is the average price for a hash brown in the US[/caption]
