McDonalds introduces Free Fries Fridays to win back inflation-weary customers The company also said its $5 meal deal will start next week

McDonald’s on Thursday outlined what its upcoming $5 meal deal will contain.

Under the meal deal, customers will get their pick of one of two sandwich options — a McDouble or a McChicken — plus small fries, four-piece McNuggets, and a small soda as accompaniments.

It will debut on participating restaurants’ menus in the U.S. on Tuesday and be available for a "limited time" only, according to McDonald’s.

The $5 meal deal is set to bow Tuesday. (McDonald's USA)

The company has also been running a "Free Fries Friday" deal nationwide. It started that promotion, which gives customers who buy a menu item that costs at least $1 through the chain’s app a complimentary medium package of fries, last fall. 

The company has also been running a "Free Fries Friday" deal nationwide. (Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images / Fox News)

"We’re focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors, go through our Drive Thru, or place an order through our app," McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said.

In late April, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski noted that quick-service restaurant consumers continued to feel pressure.

A McDonald's restaurant in San Leandro, California, is seen on April 28, 2022, (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)

"It is clear that broad-based consumer pressures persist around the world," he said at the time. "Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they face elevated prices in their day-to-day spending, which is putting pressure on the QSR industry." 

He also said McDonald’s "must be laser-focused on affordability" for customers.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
MCD	MCDONALD'S CORP.	253.83	+3.00	+1.20%

The company’s overall footprint included some 42,000 restaurants at the end of March, 13,500 of which are located within the U.S.

“We heard our fans loud and clear — they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, said in a statement announcing the initiative.

The Chicago-based fast-food giant said that the french fry deal is only for customers with the McDonald’s app, which is free to download, and will run through the end of 2024.

It also said its much-hyped $5 deal will begin on June 25, allowing customers to order a small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNugget, and a small soda, and choose between a McDouble or McChicken sandwich for just $5. That deal is scheduled to run through the summer at select locations.

Sara Senatore, Bank of America’s senior analyst for restaurants, said in May that the promotions could help win back customers frustrated by the increasing cost of fast food.

“If the messaging is good, then I think McDonald’s has diagnosed the problem correctly, which is that they need increased visibility around the value that they offer,” Senatore said

Erlinger said that “value has always been part of our DNA.” McDonald’s is “focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors,” he said.

The news comes as the fast-food companies are battling the so-called “value wars,” all attempting to reel in cash-strapped customers looking to save money at their favorite chains.

Starbucks recently announced its “Pairings Menu,” which gives customers a drink and breakfast item for a fixed price between $5 and $7. And Burger King has followed suit with own $5 value meal.