by SONG Jianan

McDonald's has raised prices on many of its burgers, snacks and combo meals in China, with most items increasing by 0.5 to 1 yuan, according to consumers who noticed the change on December 15.

The company told Jiemian News that it aims to balance "high-quality food and great value," and confirmed that select items became more expensive starting Sunday. At the same time, McDonald's is promoting a limited-time "10-yuan Burger" campaign as part of its McFarm Food Festival.

App listings show that several classic burgers and popular sides now cost slightly more, as do desserts such as McFlurries. But one budget option — the 13.9-yuan "1+1 Mix & Match" meal, nicknamed the "poor man's combo" — largely remains unchanged, except when customers opt for items that carry higher ingredient costs.

McDonald's has made other price adjustments over the past year. A new delivery-fee model introduced in late 2024 lowered base charges but added packaging fees, which some consumers saw as a stealth price hike. In February, the company raised prices on select breakfast items and Happy Meals.

Alongside the latest increases, McDonald’s is offering digital coupons that let members buy selected burgers for 10 yuan each — a promotion that could help cushion the impact for budget-conscious diners as menu prices edge higher.

The chain continues to expand aggressively in China. In its third-quarter results, McDonald's reported US$7.08 billion in revenue, up 3% from a year earlier, while same-store sales across its international franchise markets — including China — rose 4.7%. The company owns 48% of McDonald's China, with the rest held by a CITIC Capital–led consortium. CEO Zhang Jiayin said in July that the company plans to open 1,000 new restaurants in 2025 and surpass 10,000 locations in mainland China within five years.