$1 Menu Gaps Show Up at California McDonald’s Stores Barely a Mile Apart
California McDonald’s customers are seeing identical menu items priced a dollar or more apart at restaurants barely a mile from each other.
An AI-powered pricing tool pushed to franchisees is helping set those recommendations from local customer data across about 14,000 U.S. restaurants, reports the New York Post.
In Fresno, a Big Mac costs $5.69 at 4505 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd. but $6.69 at a location 1.3 miles away on 4898 E. Kings Canyon Road.
Similar gaps show up on an M&M McFlurry ($4.69 versus $5.19) and a Deluxe McCrispy ($5.99 versus $6.49).
Franchisees keep final say on prices, and the tool offers recommendations rather than automatic real-time changes. It also weighs competitor pricing from chains like Wendy’s and Burger King.
McDonald’s said AI does not set the price of a Big Mac or any other menu item and called the approach a standard business practice widespread across industries.
“AI does not set the price of a Big Mac or any other menu item.”
One Fresno customer said they always thought prices were the same. Another said a dollar difference made the extra drive worth it.
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