McDonald’s plans to introduce new value-oriented meal bundles early next year after a disappointing third quarter that saw lower traffic at U.S. restaurants.

McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said Wednesday that the company recently began an eight-week test of mix-and-match and fixed-price bundles at 1,900 U.S. restaurants. Those bundles might feature a McChicken sandwich and small fries for $3.50, for example.

But around 4,000 franchisees have decided not to wait for the test results and have launched meal bundles of their own, he said.

“Customers should see a clear and compelling value proposition every time they consider McDonald’s, whether they’re looking for an affordable individual item, a complete meal or a digital offer in the mobile app,” Kempczinski said during a conference call with investors.

U.S. same-store sales—or sales at locations open at least a year—fell 0.2% in the July-September period, the Chicago burger giant said Wednesday. While that was not as bad as the 0.5% drop Wall Street had expected, it was the first retreat for McDonald’s since early 2025.

McDonald’s restored some regional and national in-app deals and shifted some marketing spending to support value meals, which helped push same-store sales into positive territory in September and October. But the shift in focus at McDonald’s shows how challenging the economic environment has become for U.S. fast food companies, which are losing customers as many Americans struggle with higher gas prices and the uncomfortably high cost of living.

, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant industry consultant.

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