When someone pulls up to a McDonald’s drive-thru, they usually expect affordable prices and quick service. That’s been the whole point of fast food for decades, right? But a recent video from Southern California has people questioning whether the Golden Arches is still delivering on that promise. A TikTok user named Shannon posted a video showing a meal bundle priced at $25.39, and it sparked a massive online debate about how expensive fast food has gotten. The video racked up over two million views in just days, with thousands of people chiming in about their own experiences with rising prices at their local McDonald’s locations.
The meal bundle that started the controversy
Shannon’s video showed a digital menu board at a McDonald’s in Southern California advertising a 40-piece Chicken McNuggets bundle with two large orders of fries for $25.39 before tax. After adding California’s sales tax, the total would come to around $27. The kicker? The meal didn’t even include a drink. Shannon emphasized this point in her video, asking why McDonald’s couldn’t throw in at least a medium Sprite with a meal that costs more than $25. The meal is designed to serve four people, which works out to about $6.35 per person before tax, but many viewers felt that was still too expensive for fast food.
The viral video really struck a nerve with McDonald’s customers across the country. Within days, it had accumulated over 32,000 likes and nearly 5,000 comments from people sharing their own experiences. Some called it the “going broke meal,” while others pointed out that the same bundle costs significantly less in their area. The whole thing highlighted how much McDonald’s prices can vary depending on where you live, and it got people talking about whether fast food is even worth it anymore when you can sometimes get similar amounts of food at a sit-down restaurant for comparable prices.
Regional price differences shocked commenters nationwide
The comments section of Shannon’s video turned into an impromptu survey of McDonald’s prices across America. People from different states started sharing what they pay for the exact same meal bundle at their local restaurants. One Florida resident said the 50-piece nuggets meal costs just $15 in their area. A commenter from Texas mentioned paying only $6.19 for a 20-piece nuggets and two large fries. Someone else chimed in that the exact same meal Shannon showed costs only $16 at their McDonald’s. The price differences were staggering, with some locations charging nearly $12 less than the California restaurant in the video.
These differences aren’t just random. McDonald’s operates primarily through franchises, and each franchise owner gets to set their own prices based on local costs and market conditions. That means someone in Dallas might pay half as much for the same meal as someone in Los Angeles. The regional variations reflect different operating costs, including rent, utilities, and wages in each area. California has some of the highest operating costs in the country, which naturally gets passed on to customers. But seeing the actual price differences laid out in the comments made many people realize just how much location affects what they pay for fast food.
California’s minimum wage increase became part of the conversation
Many commenters immediately pointed to California’s recent minimum wage law as a reason for the high price. The state raised the minimum wage for fast food workers from $16 to $20 per hour, and the law went into effect on April 1, 2024. Shannon’s video was posted on March 27, just four days before the wage increase took effect, but restaurants had been preparing for months. Several people wrote comments like “Welcome to California” and “20 minimum wage, welcome to your new normal.” The timing seemed too convenient to be coincidental, and many assumed McDonald’s was already adjusting prices to cover the increased labor costs.
The wage increase affected all major fast food chains operating in California, not just McDonald’s. Some pizza chains closed locations before the new law took effect, and others laid off workers to keep costs manageable. The Los Angeles Times reported that McDonald’s was among the chains raising prices to offset the higher wages. While the company didn’t explicitly confirm that this specific meal bundle’s price was directly tied to the wage increase, the timing and location made it a reasonable assumption. Either way, California residents were now facing significantly higher prices at their local fast food restaurants, and they weren’t happy about it.
How McDonald’s prices have climbed over the past decade
The viral video tapped into a larger frustration people have been feeling about McDonald’s prices for a while now. A recent study by FinanceBuzz found that McDonald’s prices have increased by 100% since 2014. That means prices have doubled in just ten years. Back in 2014, a 10-piece McNuggets meal typically cost around $5.99. Now, that same meal usually goes for $10.99 at most locations. Many commenters on Shannon’s video reminisced about when a 40-piece nuggets bundle cost just $5, not $25. Those days are long gone, and people are feeling the pinch in their wallets every time they pull up to the drive-thru.
McDonald’s has acknowledged the price increases but disputes some of the findings in the FinanceBuzz study. A company spokesperson told Fox Business that the report wasn’t an accurate representation of pricing at McDonald’s restaurants and that the 2024 average prices listed were significantly inflated. During a February earnings call, McDonald’s revealed that it raised prices by about 10% in 2023 alone. The company blamed inflation but said it expects price increases to slow down in 2024 as inflation eases. Still, when customers see meal bundles costing over $25, it’s hard to feel like they’re getting the value they used to expect from fast food.
Other menu items have faced similar criticism recently
Shannon’s video wasn’t the first time McDonald’s has faced backlash over pricing in 2024. Throughout the year, viral social media posts have called out the chain for charging what customers consider excessive amounts for basic items. Hash browns have been a particular sore spot, with some locations charging over $3 for a single order. Someone posted about paying $18 for a Big Mac meal, which sparked its own round of outrage online. Another person complained about a $7 Egg McMuffin. Even the Filet-O-Fish sandwich got caught up in the controversy, with customers claiming the portions have gotten smaller while prices have gone up.
These individual complaints add up to a larger picture of customer dissatisfaction with McDonald’s pricing strategy. People used to view McDonald’s as the place to go when they wanted cheap, convenient food. Now, many are questioning whether it makes sense to spend $15 to $20 per person at a fast food restaurant when they could get better food at a casual dining restaurant for similar prices. Some commenters on Shannon’s video encouraged others to boycott fast food altogether, arguing that if enough people stop buying, the chains will be forced to lower prices to bring customers back. Whether that strategy would actually work remains to be seen, but it shows how frustrated people have become.
Some defenders said the meal is actually reasonable
Not everyone who commented on Shannon’s video thought the price was outrageous. Several people pointed out that the meal bundle includes 40 chicken nuggets and two large orders of fries, which is a substantial amount of food. Since it’s designed to serve four people, that works out to about $12.50 per person including tax. One commenter wrote that $12.50 per person isn’t that crazy for a fast food meal, especially considering how much food you’re getting. Another said Shannon was complaining about getting a good deal, implying that people were overreacting to what’s actually a reasonable price for the amount of food included.
Some defenders also mentioned that McDonald’s offers frequent deals and discounts through its mobile app. The MyMcDonald’s Rewards program gives customers points on every purchase that can be redeemed for free food. The app also features rotating deals like buy-one-get-one offers and discounted combo meals. Several commenters said they rarely pay full menu price because they always use the app to find deals. McDonald’s has emphasized that value is part of its DNA and that customers should take advantage of these app-based promotions. However, not everyone wants to download an app and hunt for deals just to get affordable fast food. Many people feel like prices should be reasonable right on the regular menu without jumping through hoops.
McDonald’s promised to address customer concerns about affordability
In response to the growing chorus of complaints about pricing, McDonald’s executives have publicly acknowledged that customers are concerned about affordability. CFO Ian Borden told a Chicago news station that the company knows consumers are more wary and weary of pricing. He promised that McDonald’s would continue making consumer-led pricing decisions as they move forward. CEO Chris Kempczinski also addressed the issue, noting that affordability would be a key focus for the company in the coming months. He pointed out that as inflation rates have leveled out at grocery stores, customers in lower income brackets are choosing to eat at home more often instead of getting fast food.
These statements suggest McDonald’s understands it has a problem, but words are different from action. Customers want to see actual price reductions or better value, not just promises that the company is listening. The challenge for McDonald’s is that it can’t directly control what franchise owners charge since each location sets its own prices. The company can offer suggestions and run promotional deals, but ultimately, local operators make the final call based on their own costs. That makes it difficult for McDonald’s to implement any kind of uniform pricing strategy across the country. For now, customers in high-cost areas like California will probably continue paying significantly more than people in other parts of the country for the same exact meals.
Fast food pricing is changing across the entire industry
McDonald’s isn’t alone in facing criticism over higher prices. Other fast food chains have dealt with similar backlash. Five Guys recently went viral when someone posted a receipt showing they paid $24 for a burger, fries, and a drink. Chipotle has been called out for smaller portion sizes while maintaining the same prices. Wendy’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell have all raised prices over the past few years. The entire fast food industry is grappling with how to balance rising costs with customer expectations for affordability. Some chains have tried introducing value menus with cheaper options, while others have focused on premium items with higher profit margins.
The shift reflects broader changes in how Americans view fast food. For decades, chains like McDonald’s competed primarily on price and convenience. Now, with prices approaching those of casual dining restaurants, customers are evaluating fast food differently. If they’re going to spend $15 or more per person anyway, many people would rather go somewhere with table service and better quality food. This puts pressure on fast food chains to either lower prices to reclaim their value positioning or improve quality to justify the higher costs. It’s a tricky balance, and judging by the reaction to Shannon’s video, McDonald’s hasn’t quite figured it out yet. The coming months will show whether the company can win back customers who feel priced out of their formerly affordable go-to restaurant.
What this means for regular McDonald’s customers going forward
For people who regularly eat at McDonald’s, the situation presents a few choices. First, you can accept the higher prices as the new reality and adjust your budget accordingly. Second, you can take advantage of app deals and promotions to reduce what you pay per visit. Third, you can cut back on how often you eat fast food and cook more meals at home instead. Fourth, you can switch to other restaurants that offer better value. None of these options are perfect, but they’re the practical choices available right now. Many customers are probably doing a combination of all four, eating at McDonald’s less frequently and being more strategic about when they go.
The bigger question is whether McDonald’s and other fast food chains will respond to customer feedback by making meaningful changes to pricing. If enough people stop coming because prices are too high, that will force restaurants to reevaluate their strategy. But if people keep paying despite complaining, there’s no financial incentive for chains to lower prices. The viral nature of Shannon’s video shows that frustration is real and widespread, but social media outrage doesn’t always translate to changed behavior. Time will tell whether this moment represents a real turning point or just another viral controversy that fades away while nothing fundamentally changes. For now, if you’re craving McNuggets, it might be worth checking prices at a few different McDonald’s locations or waiting for a deal on the app before you place your order.
Shannon’s video struck a chord because it captured something many people have been feeling but hadn’t fully articulated. Fast food isn’t as affordable as it used to be, and for some customers, that changes the entire value proposition. Whether you think $25 for 40 nuggets and two large fries is reasonable or ridiculous probably depends on where you live and what you’re used to paying. Either way, the conversation isn’t going away anytime soon. McDonald’s will need to find ways to balance profitability with the affordability that built its reputation in the first place.
