Fast-food restaurants must adapt to various environments and trends. In 2025, it appears that the United States may be headed towards a recession. Accordingly, fast-food giant McDonald’s is bringing back the Snack Wrap, a menu item that is filling and affordable.
The Snack Wrap Has Been Gone for 9 Years
After nearly a decade of being off the menu, the Snack Wrap will return to McDonald’s restaurants on July 10th. The item will be available in two different flavors, ranch or spicy. It will also include lettuce and cheese and come on a flour tortilla.
The Company Has Used Social Media to Promote the Return
McDonald’s has been teasing the return of the Snack Wrap via social media sites like Instagram for a couple of months. The franchise also started a new website to promote the return of the menu item, Snack Wrap Files.
Fans Are Sure to Be Happy
To say that the Snack Wrap was popular would be an understatement. There have been petitions to bring the menu item back, including this one on Change that drew more than 18,000 signatures. Those signers will soon be getting their wish.
The Snack Wrap is Going to Feature Another New Menu Item
Earlier this year, McDonald’s released another new product, McCrispy strips. The brand’s version of chicken fingers is longer than the traditional Chicken McNugget. The fast-food chain also released a new sauce, creamy chili, to go along with the strips.
The McCrispy Strips Have Gotten Mixed Reviews
The McCrispy Strips are similar to the Chicken Select, which McDonald’s offered from 2002 through 2013. So far, reviewers have compared the McCrispy Strips unfavorably to their predecessor, saying the quality of the chicken is lower.
The Cost of the New Snack Wrap Will Go Up
The McDonald’s Snack Wrap was a staple of the chain’s value menu, which allowed people to have a meal for just a few dollars. According to sources, the new Snack Wrap will not be on the value menu but will be available as a combo meal. Expect the price, which was originally $1.50, to go up.
The Value Menu Remains Important to McDonald’s
McDonald’s has long had a value menu where customers can mix and match items to make a low-cost meal. In 2002, this list was introduced as the Dollar Menu, but due to rising prices and inflation, the name has changed over time.
People Could Be Looking to Save Money in the Coming Months
Americans have dealt with rising prices in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. While inflation has come down, Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could have a negative effect on the environment. People could look to fast-food chains to save money.
The Price Gap Between Fast Food Chains and Sit-Down Restaurants Has Shrunk
Over the last decade, the prices of fast food meals have gone up. At the same time, casual dining establishments like Applebee’s, Chili’s, and TGI Friday’s have lowered their prices to compete with the market.
There Has Been Less Focus on High Food Quality
After years of bad press and blowback from movies like Supersize Me, fast-food chains began to focus more on freshness in the last 15 years. But making fresher and higher-quality food came at a cost
The Cost of a Fast-Food Meal Has Risen Dramatically
A recent analysis from FinanceBuzz found that the average cost of a fast food meal has risen by 39 to 100% over the last 10 years. The average fast-food meal now costs consumers more than $11, though most eateries offer lower-cost options.
How Much a Meal Costs Depends on Where You Live
As with other goods and services, the cost of a fast food meal goes up depending on what state or city you live in. People who live in San Francisco, California, pay the most for a meal. Columbus, Ohio, offers consumers the lowest fast food prices for a major metro area.
Inflation Has Resulted in Companies Looking to Lower Prices
Restaurants have raised their prices because the prices they pay for food have gone up. Still, with so much attention being paid to the economy, fast food chains are looking for ways to offer consumers a low-cost but filling meal.
Burger King Has an $8 Meal Deal
Burger King has offered $5 and $7 meal deals over the last two years, but right now the chain is offering an $8 meal deal. The package allows you to combine a soda, French fries or chicken fries, and a choice of a Whopper Jr., chicken sandwich, or bacon cheeseburger.
Subway Has Added a New $5 Item
Sandwich chain Subway had a big hit with their $5 foot-long sandwich promotion, but thanks to inflation, they can no longer offer sandwiches at that cost. Instead, the franchise is now offering a foot of nachos for $5, featuring Doritos and nacho cheese.
Taco Bell Offers a Variety of Cravings Boxes
Taco Bell has long been known as a place where you could really stretch your dollar, and that is still true in 2025. The chain is offering cravings boxes, stuffed full of food and including a drink, in $5, $7, and $9 options.
The Return of the Bowl
Kentucky Fried Chicken first released the Famous Bowl in 2006, and the bowl of mashed potatoes, chicken, corn, gravy, and cheese went viral before virality was a thing. KFC has brought the Famous Bowl back and is offering it for $5.
Even Pizza Places Are Getting in on the Act
Pizza Hut and Papa John’s have both introduced great value deals for pizza, but the new offering from Domino’s takes the cake. The chain is offering pizzas for as low as $6.99, along with other items, as part of their ‘Choose Any Two or More’ deal.
Conclusion
Inflation has been hitting people hard for years, but right now, many fast food chains are creating new deals in competition for your business. This is a good time to be a hungry consumer.