McDonald's Rolls Out $4 Burger: Why?

The Washington Post ^ | April 22, 2009 | Frank Ahrens

[re_tail20]

With the nation in its deepest recession in decades, why would McDonald's pick this moment to launch a $4 burger?

You may have noticed the signs that just went up on some McDonald's drive-through menus: The new Angus burger. It weighs one-third of a pound. It costs four bucks.

In its first-quarter earnings conference call this morning, the company did not say it is rolling out the Angus nationwide, but it did not say it isn't. The company was cagey.

Still, they're starting to pop up -- The Ticker saw the Angus on a menu last Saturday, at a McDonald's on the road from Washington to Morgantown, W.Va.

An upscale product in this climate? What could the company be thinking?

[onedoug]

Angus Burger...$4.00. Coronary treatment...’Hope you have insurance. Obuma care comin’....

[Michael.SF.]

Ditto for that in Canada. I had one up there and found it to be one tasty burger:

[goodnesswins]

BECAUSE.....those who were going to higher end places, but have cut back....might like this burger at McDonalds.....they’re being smart marketers...

[kellynla]

Thanks but I don't drink coffee and I don't eat garbage...
like my father used to say “garbage in, garbage out!”

No thank you! I've been living with a damn good cook for 60 years (ME) and I have absolutely NO REASON to eat what some illegal, who God only knows what diseases he's carrying, just put together in the kitchen!

[markomalley]

If you are a coffee lover, give McDonalds another try, you may surprise yourself.

I did. It was cold (relatively).

But I don't doubt why? After all, almost $3M for a hot cup of coffee spilled would make anybody cool down the temperature of their coffee.

[hsmomx3]

I used to work at Culver’s and honestly, it was always clean and the crowds never ended. It was non-stop there and people would spend a lot more money there then at McD’s!

[dhm914]

mcdonalds wont get my business. gross food, healthwise it is junk, the taste , well you got to low grease. messes up the gut. huge left leaning corporation, I dont want them to get my money, if you want to save real money, pack your own lunch, it can be more healthy also.

I see the mcdonalds here no longer employeing American kids as a first job, now it is adults, barely able to speak english folks, many probably illegal. the tatoos, the demenor, the customer service is bad.

I avoid this junk food. mcdonalds is on the bottom of the national chain list for me if in the case i am ever forced to settle for fast food.

save you money for real food, not this procesed junk

[Mashood]

Big Kahuna Burger....ummmmmmmmmmm!

[ErnBatavia]

New? Maybe we're a test market area or sumpin, but they've had the angus burgers here for well over a year.

They're the best product put out by McDonald's by far....but we kinda wait and watch for semi-regular buy-1-get-1-free ads in the junk mail.

[Alex Murphy]

One of the few reasons I am reluctant to leave CA...

Jack In The Box is the other reason, IMO.

[Vision]

The WP is too corrupt to realize people have enough money for a $4 burger.

[kellynla]

Thanks..and I’ve got a tip for you...try Laura’s ground beef at the grocery...you’re gonna be in for a reeeeeeeeel treat...IMO, Laura’s ground beef makes the ABSOLUTE BEST burgers you ever tasted! No antibiotics or growth hormones...just grass & grain. (and no I don’t work there. LOL)
Link: http://www.laurasleanbeef.com/

[BlueStateBlues]

High quality expensive meat? At McDonalds? Hold on, I just saw a pig fly by my window. No, it was actually being pulled along by the whoosh of the air as hell froze over.

[colorado tanker]

I can think of some reasons.

One, competitors like Burger King and Carl's Jr. already have them.

Two, they may catch customers giving up pricier restaurants and returning to this category.

Three, it's just in test. If it doesn't fly, they won't roll it out nationwide.

Four, Mickey D's burger menu is rather tired, without a new product in a long time.

It shouldn't be that hard for a business "reporter," even at the Wash Post, to see why they're looking into this.

[Moonman62]

What part of the cow is the Angus?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx5DPi7GtcM

[Kandy Atz]

I haven’t done McDonalds in a while. When I have, it is usually about convenience and not the quality of food. But I may have to give the Angus a try one day.

I tried the Jack in the Box Sirloin burger three weeks ago - not the mini ones. It was surprisingly good. I was disapointed the prior visits to JINTB. Their menu/quality seems to change with the days of the week.

For fast food hamburgers, Whataburger has always been my favorite. Its a southern treasure. Cooked to order with fresh vegetables made the way you want it. And they don’t ruin it with some crappy “special sauce” either. ;->

Let the burger debates begin...

[Moonman62]

With the nation in its deepest recession in decades, why would McDonald's pick this moment to launch a $4 burger?

McDonald's wants its piece of those stimulus checks.

[ErnBatavia]

I ordered a Big Mac in Perth, West Australia....entirely different than the Americanese version (and for the worse, if you can imagine that).

Speaking of Double-Doubles, I actually drove by the Indio In-n-Out at 11am thinking I'd beat the lunch rush.....no way; jammed inside, jammed drive-thru.

[Myrddin]

I haven't eaten at McDonald's for many years. Last week, I was in West Yellowstone in advance of the park opening. My wife suggested eating at the McDonald's. I ordered a double quarter pounder with cheese, no bun. The bunless order was due to my gluten intolerance. The burgers tasted OK, but ended up making me feel sick for the duration of the trip. It will be many more years before I patronize them again.

I've had excellent experiences with Carl's Junior burgers. I order them the same way. Much tastier and no bad after effects.