McDonald's went viral recently for the worst reasons.

And, no, I'm not referring to the mop head incident.

People freaked out over the appearance of an $18(!!!) Big Mac meal at a Connecticut franchise last summer and blamed inflation and McDonald's greed (of course) for the price increase.

While that price was an anomaly, McDonald's does not deny that they've had to dramatically increase their costs.

In a post on the company's website Wednesday, McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger said reports suggesting the price of the average Big Mac has doubled since 2019 were false. McDonald's said the average U.S. Big Mac was $4.39 in 2019 and now costs $5.29, a 20.5% increase ...

The average U.S. price of a Big Mac meal, which includes a sandwich, fries and a drink, currently is $9.29.

Still a huge jump. Still insane for a fast food burger combo.

But McDonald's is trying to return to your good graces with a $5 meal deal.

Next month, McDonald's is expected to introduce a $5 meal deal across the U.S. that will include a sandwich, a four-piece McNugget, small fries and a small drink.

Erlinger said he hopes customers will find the company's upcoming deals 'meaningful.'

'It's clear that we — together with our franchisees — must remain laser-focused on value and affordability,' Erlinger said.

So, probably a cheeseburger, maybe a McDouble or a McChicken, four nuggies, fries, and a drink for $5.

(Of course, no free refills anymore).

Sounds a lot like the deals Wendy's and BK have been promoting the last few years. But in this economy, $5 for a modest meal is much more doable than $18 for a Big Mac meal. Heck, you could get 3 of these deals and still come out ahead.

But, with the way things are going, I think I know what McDonald's needs to push to get back in (at least half of) America's good graces.

I'm just saying, I know a spokesman...

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