Why Does a Small Cheeseburger Meal Cost More than a Happy Meal at McDonald's?

Vheissu on 05/11/2021 - 20:49

I can't wrap my head around this one. My wife pointed this out and I don't know how I didn't notice this sooner. A Cheeseburger Happy Meal is $4.95 at McDonald's, it's basically the equivalent of a small cheeseburger meal (small chips, cheeseburger and drink), except you get a toy and choice of apple slices. Now, a small cheeseburger meal at McDonald's is $6.95. It comes in less packaging (no box with fancy printed full-colour graphics) and no toy.

Can anyone explain the economics behind this one? Are McDonald's cutting their profit margins knowing that a happy meal would most likely be accompanied by an adult meal purchase at a higher price? Is the happy meal the equivalent of $2 milk at Coles and Woolworths in this case?

Food & Grocery

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McDonald's
McDonald's

Comments

  • djones145 on 05/11/2021 - 20:52
    +11

    if cheeseburger meal was cheaper, parents would get that as it doesn't have a toy.

    maccas marketing team, get the kids hooked on the toy and happy meal, meaning they ask for the meal and toy all the time
    subside for the future

    • Vheissu on 05/11/2021 - 20:53
      +18

      That actually makes sense. Basically, the Happy Meal is the gateway drug into Maccas.

      • Nugs on 05/11/2021 - 21:16
        +1

        one happy meal, hold the plastic
        .

        • mskeggs on 05/11/2021 - 21:20

          We used to tell the kids they could go to the bookstore and pick something if they chose not-mcdonalds in the food court. It broke the association of toy and meal, and the kids would rather some sushi or a slice of pizza anyway.

        • morse on 06/11/2021 - 03:47
          +1

          I always ask for the book when ordering the happy meal but they always just put the plastic toy in anyway as I suspect they pre-fill the boxes. It annoys me that they even advertise the book option since I’ve never been able to get it.

    • AustriaBargain on 06/11/2021 - 01:45

      Happy Meal is such a tragic waste of plastic, except if it's Pokemon or Transformers or another series I grew up with then I have to get the whole set and I like to play with them as desk toys, brings some joy to my life to have them around.

  • Stewardo on 05/11/2021 - 21:01
    +1

    It imprints the idea that a meal from maccas is a happy reward for a child. Those 5 year olds will in couple of decades be driving there own SUV with there own kids buying happy meals.
    Thats why they sponsor junior sports with vouchers, you played well, here is some positive reinforcement, a maccas voucher.
    See Dollarmites account, dettol school program.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/11/2021 - 21:39
    +2

    Dollarmites account

    THEY PLAYED US LIKE A DAMN FIDDLE!

    • dust on 05/11/2021 - 23:21

      Well that's over now.

  • upended on 05/11/2021 - 21:42
    +5

    The question I want to ask is why is McDonald's so expensive? Is it just me or are there others who share the sentiment?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/11/2021 - 21:44

      Expensive compared to what?

      • morse on 06/11/2021 - 03:52
        +2

        Expensive compared to better options. In my area I can get thai dishes, bahn mi, good pizza, decent burgers from cafes/bars for the same price as the regular menu items at maccas.

        • Presence on 06/11/2021 - 08:22
          +5

          Macca's is probably the only one paying legal wages

          • morse on 06/11/2021 - 09:19

            @Presence: Good point. That’s likely true for some, the ones I’m thinking of are family businesses, husband and wife actually in the shop, but there are additional employees, not sure if they are fairly paid. Our local maccas also operates a drive through and is 24hrs so that would definitely add to overheads.

    • CheapskateQueen on 05/11/2021 - 21:56
      +1

      back in my day, a medium mcchicken meal was $5. how much is it now, $10? I got no idea

    • DingoBilly on 05/11/2021 - 22:22

      Yeah in some places near me a Big Mac meal is something like $12. I can just go get a decent burger at a proper burger joint for that price..

      • dust on 05/11/2021 - 23:21
        +1

        Can you though? It'd be pretty similar in price is imagine.

    • AustriaBargain on 06/11/2021 - 01:46

      Their wide range of drinks keeps me addicted. What happened to the real coffee milkshake through Uber Eats though? I haven't seen it for weeks.

  • MS Paint on 05/11/2021 - 22:22
    -2

    small cheeseburger meal at McDonald's is $6.95

    $1 cheeseburger using MyMacca's app (every week if you run multiple accounts)
    $1 large frozen coke (everyday price)
    $3.60 large fries (everyday price)

    $5.60 for a large cheeseburger meal deal.

    Only amateurs pay more for a small meal deal.

    • AdosHouse on 05/11/2021 - 22:27
      +1

      What is this $1 cheesburger you speak of? I can only see hamburger for $2.

      • MS Paint on 05/11/2021 - 22:28
        +3

        How many MyMacca's accounts do you have? You need at least 7 for the best return according to my complex algorithm.

        • AdosHouse on 05/11/2021 - 22:29

          I have 2. But barely eat Maccas. I have this amazing American BBQ place down the road that is freakin amazing.

          But still can't see $1 cheeseburgers anywhere in the app.

          • MS Paint on 05/11/2021 - 22:33
            +2

            @AdosHouse: Obviously not a current deal for you. Create 5 more accounts to obtain MyMacca's gold.

            Like this

        • dust on 05/11/2021 - 23:22
          +2

          This is why they call us professionals.

        • lachhelix on 06/11/2021 - 01:25
          +1

          😂😂

  • Elegant Giant on 05/11/2021 - 23:09
    +5

    My big question for maccas is: Why do meal costs differ between burgers? examples:

    Item Burger Only Medium Meal cost Fries & Drink Cost
    Big Mac $6.80 $11.45 $4.65
    Classic Angus $8.50 $12.75 $4.25
    Quarter Pounder $7.00 $12.05 $5.05
    Double Cheesebuger $5.60 $10.00 $4.40
    Hamburger $2.00 $6.75 $4.75
    • dust on 05/11/2021 - 23:23
      +7

      Solving complex Macca's pricing problems on a Friday night is one of the many reasons I love OzBargain.

    • Mokr on 06/11/2021 - 00:00
      +1

      Wonder why the quarter pounder. Is priced so high. Must be a high selling item.

      The Angus really is good value

    • Pelicannn on 06/11/2021 - 00:06
      +2

      This.

      My go to is a small cheeseburger meal and 10 nugs because its cheaper than a small 10 nug meal and a cheeseburger on the side.

  • USER DC on 05/11/2021 - 23:36

    Its a simple matter of company putting out promotions, making people accustomed to those deals in this case toys to kids. Today times parent's got too many winging kids.
    Then company removes them sale - and puts them at higher price, while putting on other deals.
    But people had been so used to older deals or like older menu they just keep ordering that stuff and not 1 but so many other items, then dont ever look at receipt. - This is the case most of the times.

    Other times they still got large quantity with promos on, but they never advertise them, so people buy smaller quantity item (which is some instances cost same as promo deal on larger quantity or even more than the promo's cost aka pay more for getting less)

  • djkelly69 on 05/11/2021 - 23:46
    +3

    Can also change the drink to a small shake for free with a happy meal, which I am pretty sure you can't do with a normal small meal.

    • screensaver on 05/11/2021 - 23:56
      +1

      I like that moo milk

  • Sammy2000 on 06/11/2021 - 03:39

    This is how I was buying nugget meals. Extra toys for the kids.

  • amygirl on 06/11/2021 - 11:59

    I remember the good ole days when they were $2.95.

    • leiiv on 06/11/2021 - 23:31

      But big mac meal was $5 back then

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