Record inflation sees McDonald’s increase price of key menu items

Writing in a newsletter sent to customer this morning (27 July), chief executive office Alistair Macrow said that McDonald’s UK and Ireland would add either 10p or 20p to a ‘number of menu items impacted most by inflation’. 

Some prices remain unaffected, while others will continue to vary across the group’s circa 1,400 restaurants in UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The price rises are due to hit later this summer, with McDonald's so far only revealing the single cheeseburger - which is on its low-cost Savers Menu - as an item that will see a rise. 

Macrow said that the group had “delayed and minimised” price rises for as long as it could but needed to now pass some of the costs on in order to to reward its people, support suppliers and continue to help invest in community programmes.

“We know things are tough right now. We’re living through incredibly challenging times and we’re all seeing the cost of everyday items, such as food and energy, increase in a way many of us have never experienced,” he wrote. 

“Just like you, our company, our franchisees who own and operate our restaurants, and our suppliers are all feeling the impact of rising inflation.” 

Inflation hit another new 40-year high in June as food and energy prices continued to soar. 

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) clocked inflation at 9.4% last month, up on May’s figure of 9.1%.

Inflation has now risen for nine months in a row,​​ with the two biggest drivers rising fuel and food prices.

Poorer household are being hit harder by rising cost, the Resolution Foundation think tank warns, but the government says the UK will see a “marked improvement” next year.