Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA, addressed reports of a $18 Big Mac meal, calling it an "exception" rather than the rule. Erlinger said the average Big Mac price rose 21% from 2019. Prices for other menu items like Quarter Pounders and McNuggets have also increased since 2019. <br />McDonald's franchise owners set their own menu prices and have sought to keep increases in line with rising business costs. Over 90% of McDonald's franchisees now offer $4 or less meal combos amid inflationary pressures across the economy. A January poll found that 1 in 4 lower-income consumers are cutting back on fast food due to high prices.
