McDonald’s enthusiasts expressed discontent following a viral post on social media that unveiled the soaring price of a single hash brown, which has escalated to nearly £2 in select McDonald’s outlets.
The post showcased an image of a McDonald’s menu board displaying a hash brown priced at £1.99 at the specific restaurant visited by the individual. Shared widely, the post garnered over 459,000 views and was captioned with dismay over the £2 cost for a solitary hash brown, leading to a declaration of disapproval.
Responses flooded in, with one person remarking on the drastic price increase, noting that McDonald’s used to offer a more budget-friendly choice. Another individual suggested that for the price of a hash brown, one could opt for a sausage sandwich instead. Overall, the sentiment echoed was one of astonishment at the elevated cost.
Furthermore, a comment highlighted the admiration for McDonald’s hash browns while expressing concern over the £2 price tag, reminiscing about the days when they were priced at 59p.
In response to the uproar, a McDonald’s spokesperson clarified that many of their restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees who determine pricing independently. The spokesperson emphasized the commitment to delivering a superior dining experience and value for money across all outlets.
This development follows McDonald’s announcement of adjustments to the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program, where the points requirement for redeeming free items will increase from 5,500 to 6,500 points starting March 17. Notably, customers earn 100 points for every £1 spent at McDonald’s.
The modifications extend beyond hash browns, affecting the points needed for various menu items. For instance, the points threshold for items like Medium Coffee or Small Fries will rise to 2,000 points from the current 1,500. Similarly, the points required for a regular McFlurry or an Apple Pie will increase to 3,500 from 2,500 points. Additionally, to claim a Double Cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, customers will need 5,000 points, up from the previous 4,000.
In addressing the loyalty scheme changes, a McDonald’s representative cited the adjustments as a response to escalating food and supply costs. While acknowledging the points increment, they highlighted the introduction of new redemption options such as Chicken Selects, Cheese sides, and the recently added Sausage Sandwich to enhance customer choices.