White Castle becomes latest restaurant to join value meal wars

White Castle is latest chain to join the value meal wars as restaurants try to attract inflation-worried customers who might be thinking of dining at other places or just staying at home. The company has cut the cost of its burgers by more than 30%.

For a limited time, the Ohio-based chain is selling shareable sacks of 10 cheese sliders for $7.99 — that’s less than 80 cents per burger. The last time White Castle burgers were available for that price was in 2011.

“Customers are making leftovers last longer as food prices have gone up,” White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson told The New York Post. “We are known for value. We are leaning into it more now."

White Castle is flipping prices at its 335 stores to compete with the competition, including its larger rivals like McDonald’s, Burger King and Taco Bell who each have unveiled a value meal of their own.

As McDonald’s fought back against what it called “inaccurate” reporting about its pricing earlier this year, the fast-food giant introduced its $5 value meal. The meal includes a choice of a McChicken or McDouble, and four-piece Chicken McNugget, small fries and a small drink.

The deal is staying around through August , which is longer than originally planned. In an internal memo obtained by multiple news outlets, McDonald’s executives wrote, “When our customers are ordering the $5 Meal Deal, they aren't visiting the competition, and early performance shows this deal is meeting the objective of driving guests back to our restaurants.”

The competition is also bringing on the value. Burger King’s $5 Your Way meal offers three different sandwich options, Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings Box includes two different types of tacos, a burrito and more for $7. Starbucks’ Pairing Menu gives customers the option of buying a drink and a breakfast item for $5 or $6.

Other chains like Wendy’s, Popeyes, Jack in the Box and Sonic have all launched new deals. But these companies now not only have to compete with each other but also with restaurants from outside the fast-food space.

Fast casual chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s have called out their fast-food rivals, even in their commercials. These restaurants, no matter the category, are all trying to hold onto their place in the dinner conversation of cost-conscious Americans.

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