The McDonald’s app is often praised for offering deals and promotions that seem to make your favorite meals more affordable. Some users have even shown how they scored free food or found exclusive offers that aren’t available to those ordering in person. But not everyone is convinced that the app is a money-saver.
Recently, a TikTok user named Stephen (@hugesnlfan) sparked a debate after sharing his experience with the McDonald’s app. His story has left many wondering: Is it actually more expensive to use the McDonald’s app?
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Stephen’s Surprising Discovery!
In a video that’s racked up over 167,000 views, Stephen explains how he planned to order a steak, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich through the McDonald’s app.
The app listed the price for the sandwich at $7.99, while the meal option was priced at $12.19. It’s worth noting that Stephen appears to be based in Canada.
However, when the app malfunctioned, Stephen decided to order in person at the drive-thru instead. That’s when he made a shocking discovery: ordering in person was actually cheaper. The sandwich alone cost $6.19, and the meal was $10.69—significantly less than what the app showed.
“It’s your own app; it’s not DoorDash. It’s not GrubHub; it’s your own app,” Stephen exclaimed in his video. “Why are you charging me more to order in the app?”
Stephen went on to point out that other items were also cheaper in person, even though he had planned to pick up his order rather than have it delivered.
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Why Are McDonald’s App Prices Different?
Stephen isn’t the only one who’s noticed this discrepancy. Many customers have reported seeing different prices between the McDonald’s app and their local restaurants. Some have even noticed varying prices between their own app accounts and those of friends or family.
For example, one Reddit user shared that a 10-piece nugget meal on their roommate’s app was priced at $12.49, while theirs was listed at $15.89—at the same restaurant, for the same meal.
So what’s going on?
One possible explanation is that McDonald’s restaurants are franchises, meaning each location has the freedom to set its own prices. This could account for some of the price differences.
However, this doesn’t fully explain why someone might see different prices on the app versus in person at the same location.
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What Are People Saying?
In the comments section of Stephen’s video, users shared their own theories about what might be causing these price discrepancies.
“Were you near a different McDonald’s? The app pulls up the closest McDonald’s, so if you go to a different location, the price might change,” one user suggested.
“Check to see if you had an in-app offer for a free item. They might be building the app to roll that cost into the prices of the other items,” another commenter added.
Others expressed their frustration, with one TikToker saying:
“Guess I’ll be taking myself inside, comparing the prices on the app and menu board. Whichever is cheaper, I’ll order from… IF I go to McD’s again.”
As more people become aware of these price differences, it seems that checking both the app and in-person prices might be the best way to ensure you’re getting the best deal.