Fast food restaurants are bringing back dollar menus for 2016, in an attempt to boost sagging business.
But this time -- in many cases -- that dollar menu comes with a catch, and buying that dollar burger is not as easy as it used to be.
New "Bundled" Deals
Remember when you could get a burger, fries, or drink for a 99 cents or less?
Fast food eateries slowly got rid of those low prices in recent years.
But they are now coming back in "bundled" form, sort of like your cable TV package.
- McDonald's has rolled out a new McPick 2 menu, where you combine 2 items for$ 2.
- Wendy's has launched a "4 for $4 deal."
- Burger King has "5 items for $4."
Restaurants say its a win-win: You get a dollar burger or nuggets, and they get you to buy more. Of course, you may not want all that food, but there is nothing you can do about it.
Limited Time Offers
But from the "doesn't that stink" file, why you need to hurry if you want these deals.
McDonald's is offering the 2 for $2 deal (which appears to be the best of the bunch) for just a limited time, January and February. Other restaurants won't say when theirs will expire, but all are considered limited during the slow time of year.
If these deals end just as you started to find them, you'll probably say "doesn't that stink?"
But franchise owners say these deals hurt their profits, which is why they may be gone by spring.
Bottom line: Restaurants can't stay in business anymore selling item after item for a buck.
So don't expect a giveaway, and as always don't waste your money.
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