In a move aimed at budget-conscious consumers, McDonald's Canada has unveiled a major new promotion, locking the price of several popular combo meals at just $5 plus tax for an entire year. This announcement comes as fast-food chains fiercely compete for market share with value offerings, even amidst ongoing economic pressures.
The Battle for the Budget-Conscious Diner
The fast-food industry in Canada is a massive market, valued at $36.4 million as of 2023 with over 20,500 restaurants operating nationwide. A 2022 study highlighted that nearly half of all Canadians likely consumed fast food in a given week, averaging two meals. However, only 11 per cent of those consumers felt they were getting good value for their money, creating a significant opportunity for chains to attract customers with compelling deals.
McDonald's new promotion directly targets this value gap. The offer, announced in January 2026, includes both breakfast and all-day options, each featuring a main item, a side, and a small drink for a flat $5 price before taxes.
What's on the McDonald's $5 Menu?
The year-long deal provides several choices. For breakfast, combos include a Sausage McMuffin, Sausage McGriddle, Bagel with cream cheese, or a Breakfast Burrito. Each breakfast selection comes with a hash brown and a small McCafé coffee.
For lunch or dinner, customers can opt for a McDouble, Junior Chicken, or a Chicken Snack Wrap (in ranch or spicy buffalo flavour). These all-day combos are served with fries and a small soft drink. Separately, McDonald's is also offering a small McCafé coffee for $1 all year.
How Do Competitors Stack Up?
To determine if McDonald's truly holds the crown for the cheapest combo, it's essential to look at what other major chains are offering.
At Wendy's, the closest comparable breakfast deal is a 2 for $4 offer, allowing customers to pick two items from a list of eight, including sandwiches, wraps, potatoes, or coffee. However, this does not constitute a full combo with all three components. Wendy's cheapest traditional breakfast combo starts in the $6 to $7 range. For lunch, the entry-level Dave's Single combo with small fries and a drink costs approximately $12.14 before tax.
A&W promotes its Value Deals menu, with items like the Buddy Burger starting at $2.99. Crucially, this price is for the sandwich alone. Adding a side and drink to create a combo pushes the total to around $8.48 before tax, significantly higher than McDonald's new flat rate.
The Verdict on Value
Based on this comparison, McDonald's $5 combo promotion appears to be one of the most aggressively priced full-combo deals currently advertised by a major national chain in Canada. While Wendy's and A&W offer low-cost individual items, the complete package of burger (or sandwich), side, and drink for a flat $5 is a standout offer designed to drive traffic and customer loyalty over the next twelve months.
This move underscores the intense competition in the Canadian fast-food sector, where value remains a primary deciding factor for a large segment of consumers, particularly younger demographics and those with middle incomes. As inflation continues to impact discretionary spending, such promotions are likely to play a key role in where Canadians choose to grab a quick and affordable meal.
