McDonald’s Pumps Brakes On Prices

USA – McDonald’s said it’s pumping the brakes on higher prices and focusing more on value meals after seeing a drop-off in visits by some customers.

The burger giant reported better-than-expected sales in the third quarter Monday. Global same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, rose 8.8% in the July-September period.

But price increases have weighed on customers. McDonald’s said its U.S. traffic fell slightly in the third quarter as it saw fewer visits from customers with annual incomes of $45,000 or less.

The company says its planning to focus on deals. This month, it launched “Free fries Friday,” offering free medium fries to U.S. customers every Friday until the end of the year if they spend at least $1.