Burger King is set to launch its own $5 meal set before rival McDonald's does.
It's the latest development in the American fast-food wars, as major chains compete for customers amid high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.
“As agreed with our franchisees in April, we are bringing back the $5 Your Way Meal,” a Burger King spokesman told Reuters.
Bloomberg reports that Burger King's meal packages will include one of three sandwich options, along with nuggets, fries, and a drink.
The news service reported that the Burger King deal will begin before McDonald's and will last for several months.
According to reports, McDonald's promotion is scheduled to last for just four weeks.
Their meals could include a McChicken or a McDouble, plus fries and a drink, sources told Bloomberg. Coca-Cola has also offered to provide funding to help execute the deal.
Wendy's unveiled its own $3 breakfast menu initiative last week.
Rising inflation has a direct impact on fast-food prices as more Americans eat at home: According to personal finance site Finance Buzz, the price of a standard McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese is now an estimated $11.99, up from $5.39 a decade ago.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on a recent earnings call that the company needs to “refocus relentlessly on affordability.”
But the company could face a big challenge in convincing its US franchisees to adopt the plan: earlier this year, 95 percent of franchisees rejected the $5 meal deal, fearing further revenue losses.
This was particularly problematic for McDonald's branches in California, where new laws mean fast food workers must be paid a minimum wage of $20 an hour.
Fast food restaurants in the state have been raising prices since the law went into effect in April.
