McDonald's: How An $18 Big Mac Broke Customer Trust

Enroll in the Restructuring & Distressed Investing Certificate from Wharton Online x Wall Street Prep. Code JUNKBOND saves $300 off tuition: https://rb.gy/tpl01a In 2024, a viral photo of an $18 Big Mac combo forced McDonald's CEO to publicly apologize and promise to make the Golden Arches affordable again. But the real problem wasn't a single overpriced airport meal—it began over a decade earlier when corporate quietly killed the iconic Dollar Menu. Over the next ten years, McDonald's prices spiked by over 100%, alienating millions of working families and triggering a massive sales collapse. This is the inside story of how the world's biggest fast-food empire broke its core promise of cheap food, and why desperate value bundles and loyalty apps still haven't fixed the damage. If you enjoyed this breakdown of corporate strategy and economic shifts, make sure to like, subscribe, and click the notification bell for more business documentaries! ----------------------------------------------- McDonald's 18 dollar Big Mac Why McDonald's is so expensive now McDonald's price increase inflation History of the McDonald's Dollar Menu When did McDonald's end Dollar Menu McDonald's 5 dollar meal deal Chris Kempczinski McDonald's pricing Fast food inflation crisis FinanceBuzz fast food price report McValue menu backlash McDonald's sales drop 2024 2025 Why fast food isn't cheap anymore Extra Value Meals return McDonald's Ray Kroc 15 cent hamburger history McDonald's franchisee profit margins Beef price inflation fast food Five Guys vs McDonald's pricing backlash McDonald's loyalty app discount strategy Fast food middle income customer drop Why McDonald's killed Dollar Menu Fast food industry business documentary Speedee Service System history The downfall of cheap fast food McDonald's earnings call analysis Restaurant inflation video essay McDouble price increase history McDonald's corporate vs franchisee dispute Fast food customer traffic decline Business strategy case study McDonald's The death of the dollar menu McDonald's CEO TikTok McChicken McDouble