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Analysis of Recent Updates and Promotions in McDonald's UK Menu

GOOVER DAILY REPORT 6/4/2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. New Budget-Friendly '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match Menu
  3. Limited-Time Deals and Promotions
  4. Menu Revamp and New Additions (Effective May 29)
  5. Phasing Out Old Menu Items
  6. Effective Cost-Saving Strategies for Customers
  7. Glossary
  8. Conclusion
  9. Source Documents

1. Introduction

  • This report provides a detailed examination of recent changes and promotional activities in McDonald's UK menu, including new offerings, limited-time deals, and the removal of certain items. The analysis is based on factual information derived from verified documents.

2. New Budget-Friendly '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match Menu

  • 2-1. Introduction of the new budget-friendly menu

  • McDonald's UK has launched a budget-friendly '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match menu, allowing customers to mix and match popular items at a reduced price. This new offering was unveiled to provide value choices in response to the rising cost of living, and it became available on May 22, running for three weeks. The promotion aligns perfectly with the upcoming May bank holiday and school half-term, aiming to provide affordable meal options for families.

  • 2-2. Available items and combinations

  • The '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match menu comprises nine items offering 165 possible combinations. Available items include: Apple Pie, Small Fries, Mini McFlurry in three flavors (Oreo, Maltesers, Smarties), 4 Chicken McNuggets, Veggie Dippers, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Mayo Chicken, and Side Salad. Some suggested combinations could be: 4 Chicken McNuggets, an Apple Pie, and a Side Salad; or a Mayo Chicken, Side Salad, and Apple Pie. Vegetarians can opt for Veggie Dippers, a Mini McFlurry, and Small Fries. This caters to a wide variety of tastes and dietary preferences, thus broadening its appeal.

  • 2-3. Availability period and participating locations

  • The promotional menu is available across all McDonald's locations in the UK and Ireland from May 22 for a limited period of three weeks. It is designed to be accessible to a broad audience, ensuring that everyone has the chance to take advantage of the deal. Notably, the cost of the Mix 'n' Match menu is set at £4 if ordered via McDelivery, providing an added incentive for in-store purchases.

  • 2-4. Promotional strategies and customer reception

  • McDonald's has utilized various promotional strategies to market the '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match menu, including social media campaigns and app-exclusive deals to create a buzz. Additionally, on May 20, they offered a Cheesy Bacon Flatbread for £1.19 and a McChicken Sandwich for £1.39 through the McDonald’s App, giving customers extra reasons to visit their stores. The customer reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement on social media about the affordability and variety of the new menu. Comments praised the deal for being 'great for the kids' and a 'bargain', particularly appreciated during the school half-term.

3. Limited-Time Deals and Promotions

  • 3-1. Cheesy Bacon Flatbread and McChicken Sandwich discounts

  • On May 20, McDonald's offered two exclusive deals available only through the McDonald’s App. The Cheesy Bacon Flatbread was discounted by 30%, available for £1.19, while the McChicken Sandwich price was slashed by 50%, available for just £1.39. These deals spanned across the UK and Ireland for one day only.

  • 3-2. Deal specifics and availability

  • Beginning on May 22 and running for three weeks, McDonald's introduced the '3 for £3' Mix 'n' Match menu, allowing customers to combine three items from a selection of nine for £3. Items included four McNuggets, Veggie Dippers, Apple Pie, Small Fries, a Cheeseburger, a Hamburger, Mayo Chicken, a Side Salad, and Mini McFlurries (Oreo, Maltesers, Smarties). The offering spanned all locations in the UK and Ireland but ordered via McDelivery, the price was £4.

  • 3-3. Exclusive offers on the McDonald’s App

  • Both the Cheesy Bacon Flatbread and McChicken Sandwich deals from May 20 were available exclusively on the McDonald’s App. The app-exclusive nature of these deals ensured that customers using the app could enjoy significant savings.

  • 3-4. Customer response and social media reactions

  • The launch of McDonald's budget-friendly '3 for £3' menu garnered significant customer excitement and positive feedback on social media. Customers appreciated the deal's value, especially in the context of rising prices. Users expressed their enthusiasm through comments such as 'What a deal' and 'I’ll order the whole menu,' highlighting the appeal and affordability of the promotion. The limited-time nature of these deals, coinciding with the May half-term break, made them particularly attractive for families seeking affordable meal options.

4. Menu Revamp and New Additions (Effective May 29)

  • 4-1. Introduction and details of the Hat Trick burger

  • McDonald's UK has introduced a new burger called the Hat Trick, which will be available starting May 29. The Hat Trick burger is composed of three beef patties, two slices of cheese, grilled onions, mustard, and ketchup, all encased in a glazed sesame bun. Customers can purchase the Hat Trick for £5.89 as a single item or £7.69 as part of a medium meal that includes a drink and a side.

  • 4-2. Other new menu items including Skittles McFlurry and Galaxy Chocolate and Raspberry Pie

  • Alongside the Hat Trick burger, McDonald's is adding seven other items to its menu. The new items include: - Mozzarella Bites with a Rich Tomato Dip (£2.39): Gooey cheese bites covered in a crispy coating. - Chicken Select Sharebox (£8.49): A box of nine chicken selects. - McDonald's Chicken Sharebox (£10.59): Contains six chicken selects, 12 chicken nuggets, and four dips. - Skittles McFlurry (£2.19): Soft swirled dairy ice cream with chewy Skittles fudge pieces, sugary pearls, and topped with purple Skittles-flavored sauce. - Galaxy Caramel McFlurry (£2.19): Returning to the menu. - Galaxy Chocolate and Raspberry Pie (£1.99): A hot dessert option. - Iced Latte (£2.49): Returning to the menu.

  • 4-3. Pricing details for new items

  • The pricing details for the new items added to McDonald's UK menu are as follows: - The Hat Trick: £5.89 (Single), £7.69 (Medium Meal) - McDonald's Chicken Sharebox: £10.59 - 9 Chicken Select Sharebox: £8.49 - Mozzarella Bites with a Rich Tomato Dip: £2.39 - Skittles McFlurry: £2.19 - Iced Latte: £2.49 - Galaxy Caramel McFlurry: £2.19 - Galaxy Chocolate and Raspberry Pie: £1.99

  • 4-4. Comparison with previous similar items

  • Several items are being removed from McDonald's UK menu to make way for the new additions. The items coming off the menu on May 28 include: - Biscoff McFlurry (£1.99) - Biscoff McFlurry mini (£1.59) - Galaxy Caramel Pie (£1.99) - Biscoff Frappe (£2.99) - Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry (£1.99) - Galaxy Chocolate Mini McFlurry (£1.59) - Quarter Pounder Deluxe (£4.89) - Quarter Deluxe Medium Meal (£6.59) - Chicken Big Mac (£4.69) - Chicken Big Mac Meal (£6.49) - Cheese & Herb Melts (£2.89) - Cheese & Herb Melts Sharebox (£7.09)

5. Phasing Out Old Menu Items

  • 5-1. List of Items Being Removed from the Menu

  • On May 28, McDonald’s in the UK will be removing several items from its menu. The items set to be axed include the Biscoff McFlurry priced at £1.99, Biscoff McFlurry mini priced at £1.59, Galaxy Caramel Pie priced at £1.99, Biscoff Frappe priced at £2.99, Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry priced at £1.99, and Galaxy Chocolate Mini McFlurry priced at £1.59. In addition, the Quarter Pounder Deluxe (£4.89) and its Medium Meal variant (£6.59), Chicken Big Mac (£4.69) and its Meal version (£6.49), and Cheese & Herb Melts (£2.89) along with the Cheese & Herb Melts Sharebox (£7.09) will also be removed.

  • 5-2. Pricing and Description of Outgoing Items

  • The outgoing items consist of a variety of desserts, burgers, and sides. The Biscoff McFlurry and its mini version are priced at £1.99 and £1.59 respectively. Similarly, the Galaxy Caramel Pie and Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry have prices set at £1.99 each, with the mini version of the Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry priced at £1.59. The Biscoff Frappe is available at £2.99. The main course items being removed include the Quarter Pounder Deluxe priced at £4.89 and its Medium Meal counterpart priced at £6.59, along with the Chicken Big Mac at £4.69 and its Meal variant at £6.49. The Cheese & Herb Melts are priced at £2.89, while the Cheese & Herb Melts Sharebox is priced at £7.09.

  • 5-3. Impact on Customer Choices and Preferences

  • The removal of these items is likely to affect customer choices and preferences. Regular customers who favor these options may need to switch to the new items being introduced or choose from the remaining menu options. It may also influence the purchasing patterns, as some of the outgoing items are popular choices, particularly the different variants of McFlurry and the Quarter Pounder Deluxe.

6. Effective Cost-Saving Strategies for Customers

  • 6-1. Price variations based on location

  • Research by The Sun found that McDonald’s restaurants have varying prices based on location. For example, a Big Mac meal can be up to 30p cheaper at restaurants located just two miles apart.

  • 6-2. Utilizing feedback surveys for discounts

  • Customers can take advantage of feedback surveys to receive discounts. By filling out a feedback survey found on a McDonald’s receipt, and entering the 12-digit code into the 'Food for Thought' website, customers receive a five-digit code acting as a voucher. This voucher allows them to purchase a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99.

  • 6-3. Comparative analysis of app and platform charges for McDonald’s delivery

  • Various platforms and apps charge different fees for McDonald’s delivery. Research found that some platforms can charge up to £1.20 more than others for the same order. Thus, it is beneficial for customers to compare delivery fees across different platforms to save money.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. 3 for £3 Mix 'n' Match Menu [Promotional Menu]

  • A new value menu launched by McDonald's UK offering a choice of nine popular items with 165 possible combinations for £3. It was available from May 22 for three weeks across all stores in the UK and Ireland, designed to attract budget-conscious customers.

  • 7-2. Hat Trick Burger [New Menu Item]

  • A new burger being introduced to the McDonald's UK menu featuring three beef patties, two slices of cheese, grilled onions, mustard, and ketchup in a glazed sesame bun. Priced at £5.89, it will be available from May 29.

  • 7-3. Skittles McFlurry [New Menu Item]

  • A new dessert option being added to the McDonald's UK menu, combining soft swirled dairy ice cream with Skittles fudge pieces and sugary pearls, topped with purple Skittles-flavored sauce. Priced at £2.19.

8. Conclusion

  • This report has provided an in-depth analysis of the recent developments in McDonald’s UK menu, highlighting new budget-friendly options, limited-time promotions, and significant changes to the menu lineup. The data-driven insights offer a comprehensive understanding of McDonald’s current strategies and their reception among customers.

9. Source Documents