Fury as McDonald's new $5 meal deal costs far more than expected

Customers have hit out at McDonald's after it was revealed the chain's so-called '$5 meal deal' is priced as high as $13 in some locations.

The fast food chain launched its new summer offer on Tuesday but customers were quick to note that all was not as it seems with the cost.

The $5 deal - including either a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink -  was introduced to offer 'meaningful value' to customers.

But customers posted screengrabs on social media showing much higher prices. One showed $13, which was thought to be a glitch on the app, but others had to pay $6.67 for the standard meal deal and scores more were charged above $6.

It is understood McDonald's is currently investigating the price discrepancies. The chian's bosses have been clear to franchisees that they must stick to the nationally advertised prices

Customer Pete Macy was shocked to learn that his deal appeared to be more than double the advertised price.

After DailyMail.com contacted McDonald's, its staff started to reply to customers who had complained on X.

The company's plan is to find out what has gone wrong - and speak to restaurant managers - plus make sure customers are not out of pocket.

Customer Pete Macy was shocked to learn that his deal appeared to be more than double the advertised price.

'Shout out to McDonalds for offering a $5 meal deal for a mere $13,' Macy wrote on X.

Macy posted accompanying screenshots of his '$5 McChicken Meal Deal' from the company website that appeared to charge him $13 in the total at checkout.

Customer Meghan Porro also expressed confusion at her order's price.

'I noticed McDonald's $5 meal deal is advertised as a $5 meal when in reality it is $6.29 before tax' Porro wrote on X.

'So they are falsely advertise having a $5 meal that you end up paying almost $7 for it' she added alongside screenshots of her order.

Another customer, also posting on X, wrote 'why is this even called a $5 meal deal when it’s $6.30 McDonalds. I’m sick of yall.'

The outraged customer also posted grabs of her meal order showing the price discrepancy.

A third customer raised the same gripe on social media, asking: 'So McDonalds can you explain why my 5 dollar meal deal isn't a 5 dollar meal?', accompanied by a picture of the order totaling $6.29.

Several other social media users reported the same issue.

Prices in the $6.30 region are likely a result of two factors - McDonald's rule on letting some restaurants with higher costs to charge more plus the addition of tax.

It is not clear what was behind even higher prices, such as the $13 or or $6.67.

Others users posted meals that cost $6.39 and $6.69.

When news of the $5 meal first emerged in May, it was thought that not every restaurant would offer the deal - with those that have higher labor and rent costs opting out.

But McDonald's found a solution. It is allowing managers in pricier states - Alaska , California , Guam , Hawaii , Nevada , Manhattan in New York and Washington - the option to charge $6.

Other customers were impressed by the new deal.

'J ust got my $5 meal deal not too long ago. I'm lovin' it' customer Jimmy Chonga wrote on X.

'I hope you're able to extend it out throughout the entire summer, thanks McDonalds,' Chonga added.

The promotion will continue for roughly a month.

McDonald's made an eye-watering $14.5 billion profit last year.

McDonald's is trying desperately to battle perceptions that it has raised prices so much it is no longer good value.

In fact, last month Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA, wrote an unprecedented open letter to customers claiming its price rises aren't as bad as some media is reporting.

In it, he said prices have 'only' gone up 40 percent across its 14,000 US restaurants since before the pandemic.