Value meal

A value meal (not to be confused with a value menu) is a group of menu items at a restaurant offered together at a lower price than they would cost individually. They were common at fast food restaurants.

Meal

A typical value meal includes a main dish (e.g., burger, wrap), a side dish (e.g., french fries) and a soft drink. Value meals are a common merchandising tactic to facilitate bundling, up-selling, and price discrimination. The perceived creation of a "discount" on individual menu items in exchange for the purchase of a "meal" is also consistent with loyalty marketing.

Value meal wars

In early 2024, a survey found that in the USA, 80 percent of adults consider fast food a luxury because of price hikes. Adding to unhappiness about pricing policy at peak times, 44 percent of adults surveyed reported that they had been asked for a tip by fast food restaurant staff. In August 2024, it was reported that fast food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's are reintroducing value meals on their menus.

See also

• Combination meal