Nationwide fast food chain challenges McDonald’s with an epic value menu that may be even better-priced
Sonic Drive-In is the latest fast food giant to launch a value menu.
Sonic’s new $1.99 menu launched Friday, offering burgers, wraps, hot dogs, tots, desserts and shakes for an unlimited time at that price.
It comes after McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s all introduced $5 meal deals for four items, and Taco Bell launched a $7 combo.
“Now more than ever, consumers are focused on affordable food options, but they shouldn’t have to settle for the same old, tired discounts or boring meals,” said Ryan Dickerson, Sonic’s Chief Marketing Officer.
‘Many restaurant chains promote value meals and discounts, but you see a lot of recycled ideas with limited options.
Sonic’s new $1.99 menu launched Friday — with burgers, wraps, hot dogs, tots, desserts and shakes at that price indefinitely
“At Sonic, we wanted to do something different — something fun — so we focused on variety. That’s why we’re introducing the new $1.99 menu, or what we like to call the FUN.99 menu.”
The $1.99 menu options include:
- Quarter pound double cheeseburger
- Chili Cheese Rabbit
- Bacon Ranch Queso Wrap
- Southwestern Crunch Queso Wrap
- Little toddlers
- One of 12 flavors of Sonic Shakes in a 16-ounce size
Sonic Drive-In, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, has more than 3,500 locations across the country.
At McDonald’s, customers get four items for $5: a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, fries, soft drink and four McNuggets.
BurgerKings $5 Your Meal is almost identical to McDonald’s – and lasts all summer.
Customers can choose from one of three sandwiches – a Whopper Jr, a Bacon Cheeseburger or a Chicken Jr – plus four chicken nuggets, fries and a soft drink.
Wendy’s has a $3 breakfast deal and also a $5 four-item meal, similar to McDonald’s and BK’s.
Starbucks also surprisingly joined the value war with a coffee and food breakfast combo starting at $5.
In addition to offering deals, fast food chains are competing with each other with app-specific deals.
Thanks to apps, chains can learn more about their customers and save on personnel costs. For example, McDonald’s and other chains are willing to offer Americans free products and discounts as a reward for using them.
Sonic has in-app deals. The company says customers can get half-priced drinks and slushies when they order through the app. They can also take advantage of half-priced classic Sonic Cheeseburgers on Tuesday nights.