Buckle up, because McDonald’s is bracing for another rough year, and this time, they’re pinning their hopes on one savior: chicken. Yep, the fast-food giant is scrambling to keep customers biting as a summer sales drop hit double digits for the first time in almost four years, sparking concerns about how they’ll keep people munching in 2025. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski dropped the news like a ton of fries this week, telling everyone to brace for a challenging year ahead and emphasizing that the only way out might be stacking up their chicken menu.
So, what’s the big plan? Apparently, pushing chicken over beef. Kempczinski is all in on the chicken craze, saying that with beef prices through the roof—literally twice the cost per pound—it’s just smarter to bring in value-hungry customers with affordable poultry options. And McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal, featuring items like McChicken sandwiches and nuggets, might be just the thing to save them from drowning in red ink. But this “deal” isn’t making everyone happy. Lamb Weston, McDonald’s fry supplier, just closed a factory in Washington because demand for medium and large fries has fallen as customers swap them out for cheaper, smaller portions in these value meals. The result? 375 jobs gone, and potato demand looking limp.
The bottom line is clear: if McDonald’s can’t get their “value” game right, they’re in for a rough 2025. But will banking on chicken be enough to save the Golden Arches from going stale? Only time—and your cravings—will tell.
