McDonald’s is considering coaxing customers back to its restaurants by offering a new food deal that won’t take a hit on your wallet.

Inflation across the country is a struggle for many, including businesses. One of the most popular fast food chains worldwide is taking a hit, bringing in less profit than last quarter. So how are they going to bounce back? The company has a plan.

Rising costs are affecting wallets across the United States, resulting in Americans cutting back on fast food. This comes as major chains, like McDonald’s, have raised prices to offset increased labor and product expenses.

As of March 2024, McDonald’s had a profit of $6.17B, which is down from its December 2023 profit of $6.41B. In September 2023, they brought in $6.69B.

As profit continues to decrease, the brand is trying to find ways to attract customers back. Leaders at McDonald’s corporate offices are currently in talks with franchise owners to launch a new budget meal. This comes after McDonald’s executives reported a decrease in the number of customers dining in at its restaurants.

McDonald’s is considering adding a $5 meal option to its menus across the U.S. to help drive consumers back into its establishments.

If franchise owners agree, the meal would include a choice of either a McChicken, a McDouble, or four-piece chicken nuggets as its main dish, as well as fries and a drink.

At the April 30 earnings call, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said, “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 industry.”

“It’s imperative that we continue to keep affordability at the forefront for our customers,” he added. When you look at McDonald’s, they’re not getting a majority of high-income customers — the middle- and lower-income class are the bulk of their business,” analyst and president of Kalinowski Equity Research Mark Kalinowski told CBS MoneyWatch. “They need to be cautious with their spending, and that’s what you’re seeing right now.” Soaring prices at fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell seem to be taking a bite out of sales. Recent earnings reports show a decline in same-store sales over the past year. McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food chain to increase prices as FinanceBuzz reports that, between 2014 and 2024, Popeye’s, Jimmy John’s, and Subway’s food prices climbed 86%, 62%, and 39%, respectively.