McDonald’s enthusiasts are expressing dissatisfaction following a social media post that brought attention to the soaring cost of a hash brown, which is now priced at nearly £2 in select McDonald’s outlets.
The viral post featured an image of a McDonald’s menu board displaying the hash brown price at £1.99 in the specific restaurant visited by the poster. The post has garnered over 459,000 views and was accompanied by a remark stating, “£2 for a single hash brown. We’re calling it quits.”
Responses flooded in, with one individual noting, “It’s becoming absurd; I seldom visit, but it used to be an affordable choice.” Another commented, “For that price, you might as well get a sausage sandwich.” A third simply stated, “Crazy.”
Another user remarked, “Those hash browns are the best thing ever created. However, £2 is just too much.” While someone else reminisced, “I recall when they were only 59p.”
In response to the uproar, a McDonald’s representative clarified that many of their restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees who establish their pricing. They emphasized that while prices may vary, all maintain a commitment to providing customers with quality service and value for money.
This backlash follows McDonald’s announcement of upcoming changes to the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program. Currently, 5,500 points are required for items like a Big Mac or Chicken Nuggets. However, starting March 17, the points needed for redemption will increase to 6,500 points. Customers earn 100 points for every pound spent at McDonald’s.
Furthermore, the loyalty scheme adjustments will see an increase in points needed for various items, such as a Medium Coffee or Small Fries, which will rise from 1,500 to 2,000 points. The threshold for items like a regular McFlurry or an Apple Pie will increase from 2,500 to 3,500 points. To redeem a Double Cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, customers will need 5,000 points, up from 4,000.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s explained that the alterations to the loyalty program are a response to escalating food and supply costs. They mentioned introducing new redemption options like Chicken Selects, Cheese sides, and a new Sausage Sandwich to cater to customer preferences.
