McDonald’s is testing new value-menu options as it works toward introducing a national program in early 2027.
The company is looking to revive U.S. customer traffic. Its latest quarterly results, released Wednesday, showed comparable sales in the country slipped 0.2% in the third quarter.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said the chain started an eight-week trial in the final week of October. About 1,900 restaurants across several regions are testing two affordable-price formats, available throughout the day.
One format lets customers mix and match items, much like earlier buy-one-add-one deals. The other offers meals with a fixed combination of items.
Kempczinski said franchisees representing roughly 4,000 restaurants are also moving ahead with similar entry-level bundles before the trial’s results are in. Together, the participating locations account for more than 40% of McDonald’s U.S. system, he said, signaling broad support for the effort.
The company will use the test to see which approach customers prefer, is practical for restaurants, and can generate lasting gains in traffic and sales for franchisees. McDonald’s is aiming to launch a nationwide program in early 2027.
Kempczinski said the goal is to make the value clear whether customers want an inexpensive individual item, a full meal, or an offer through the mobile app.
The value-menu initiative follows McDonald’s September announcement of NEXT, a multiyear plan to improve restaurants, staff training, and technology. The company expects to spend $8.5 billion on the strategy through 2036, including about $5 billion by 2030. Support for franchisees will include financial assistance and rent relief.
Global CFO Ian Borden said McDonald’s has already begun putting parts of NEXT into practice. These include a new beverage platform, the “Make It Golden” training program, and operational trials for hand-breaded chicken.
The company is also opening remodeled NEXT restaurants around the world. Its first location outside the U.S. has opened in Poland.
McDonald’s plans to begin remodeling hundreds of U.S. restaurants in 2027, updating kitchen layouts and equipment to accommodate future menu changes. It aims to reach a pace of more than 5,000 remodeled restaurants globally each year in 2028.
