Are McDonald’s prices higher on the app than on in-person menus? An investigation in NYC

McDonald’s has long been known for their affordable menu prices — hello, Dollar Menu — but in recent years, customers have been increasingly complaining of pricing discrepancies.

A man recently went viral on TikTok complaining about how his McDonald’s app offered him a Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel for $7.99 á la carte and $12.19 for a meal while the store directly sold him the breakfast sandwich for $6.19 á la carte and $10.69 as a meal.

“Why is ordering through the app more expensive?” TikTokker @hugesnlfan questioned.

Others flooded his comment section sharing similar experiences of supposedly being upcharged on the official Mickey D’s mobile app.

To test these claims, The Post compared the prices at three Midtown locations all within walking distance — 6th Ave between 46th and 47th, 7th Ave and 45th Street, and 8th Ave and 42nd — in person and on the app.

All three fast-food restaurants advertised the same prices that they did on the app, however, prices varied slightly per location.

World’s most beautiful McDonald’s that’s like a ‘5-star hotel restaurant’ reopens

The store on 6th Ave between 46th and 47th sells a Big Mac for $6.29, a Fish-O-Filet for $5.89, 10-piece McNuggets for $6.49 and french fries for $4.49.

McDonald’s on the corner of 7th Ave and 45th offers their iconic hamburger and fish favorite for slightly less, at $5.99 and $5.69, respectively. But nuggets will cost 20 cents more, with 10 priced at $6.69. Classic fries were 10 cents more ($4.59).

Meanwhile, the fast-food chain on the corner of 8th Ave and 42nd also sells Big Macs for $6.29. However, the classic fish sandwich goes for $5.79, an order of 10 nuggets for $7.19 and fries for $4.19.

Customers have been shocked to learn that prices can vary slightly from store to store — people are still outraged by the $18 Big Mac Meal in Conn. — but that’s fairly common practice for franchises.

Dunkin’ rolls out $6 breakfast value meal as desperate, fast food price war heats up

“Our franchisees (who own and operate more than 95% of all restaurants in the U.S.) set menu prices for their restaurants, which account for the increased costs of running their businesses,” McDonald’s USA president Joe Erlinger explained in a statement .

The Post has reached out to McDonald’s for further comment.

The average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. has risen from $4.39 in 2019 to $5.29. The prices in Midtown Manhattan are slightly more expensive than the national average — but what isn’t more expensive in NYC?

And despite online complaints, it’s actually typically cheaper to order through a restaurant’s app because of the deals and promotions offered through the first-party app.

According to Lending Tree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz, free mobile ordering apps offered by big brands like McDonald’s are a must-have tool in the fight against inflation.

Open up the Golden Arches’ app, and you’ll find — varying by day and location, of course — a wealth of deep discounts, like $5 for 20 Chicken McNuggets (those can cost almost $10 at the counter, depending on where you are).

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

“Fast food mobile apps can be great for folks looking for deals,” Schulz told The Post. “Some won’t offer much more than the chance to order ahead, while others may offer in-app discounts, limited-time freebies, loyalty rewards and more.”

While these deals save customers money, they also provide invaluable information to the business thanks to tracking.

“A company wants to know as much about you as they possibly can. The more they know, the better they can tailor their offerings to match what you are looking for. A mobile app can help them do that, even at an individual level, and that’s a big deal,” he explained.

Meanwhile, low-income customers making less than $45,000 per year have mostly driven away from McDonald’s in recent years as inflation has largely made eating at home the more affordable option.

A whopping 62% of us are more likely to forego fast food nowadays due to the expense, with 80% calling the once basic mainstay a luxury, according to a survey from Lending Tree.

Still, McDonald’s price increases last year exceeded the industrywide average of 7.6%, according to restaurant research firm Technomic.

Erlinger insisted that “prices for many of our menu items have risen less than the rate of inflation – and remain well within the range of other quick service restaurants.”

For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/