The Maney & LauRen Morning Show

McDonald’s Is Making More Than 50 Changes To Its Burgers Next Year

Author Nicole Weaver

December 5th, 2023 7:11 AM

MIAMI BEACH, FL - JULY 18: Jeff Baughman unwraps his Double Quarterpounder with cheese and a Super Fries and a Super Coke on July 18, 2002 at a McDonalds in Miami Beach, Florida. The health effects of an American diet of super-sized fast foods are becoming apparent as increasing numbers of children and adults are being treated for obesity. Studies seem to point to the fact that many overweight children and adults get a large portion of their calories by consuming too many sodas and sweetened juices and beverages. Sweetened drinks + "super-sized" meals + the convenience of fast food + a decrease in physical activity = a recipe for obesity. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

McDonald’s is making more than 50 changes to its burgers including the Big Mac, McDouble, classic cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, and hamburger in early 2024. The changes include the use of properly toasted, softer buns, cooking onions directly on the burger patties, perfectly melted cheese, and more. These changes will be the biggest improvements in these core menu items in decades.

McDonald’s has received tons of complaints over high prices recently and this could be an attempt to silence critics with higher quality products that compete with chains such as Five Guys and Shake Shack. Chris Young, senior director of global menu strategy for McDonald’s said “We can currently do burgers quick, fast, and safe, but it doesn’t necessarily taste great. So, we want to incorporate quality into where we’re at.”

Not all details have been announced but expect beef patties cooked in smaller batches for a more consistent sear, more Big Mac sauce, fresher lettuce and pickles, meltier cheese, and new buttery brioche buns with sesame seeds. The new changes began rolling out earlier this year on the West Coast and in the Midwest this summer, so look for them at your local Mickey D’s in early 2024.

7 Best Fast Food Burgers For Under 5 Dollars In Charlotte

Everyone knows that inflation has hit fast-food chains really hard. Even though sticker shock is prevalent, there are still some good deals to be had if you look closely. I just paid 10 dollars for the chicken sandwich meal at Burger King! 10 dollars! Value menu items are usually the best place to start saving money. The website EatThis,NotThat! has found the best fast-food burgers that you can still get for under $5 dollars.

A lot of fast-food chains offer specialty burgers with unique ingredients or flavor combinations. These usually include items like barbecue sauce, mushrooms, avocado, different types of cheese, or various condiments. Even french fries! Those burgers and combos usually get expensive. My favorite burgers are from Wendy’s or McDonald’s.

Make sure you sign up for discount emails and check the restaurant’s apps for all the deals they offer.

Here’s a list of burgers under 5 dollars. These places are in Charlotte. I’ve also added the nutritional info, because you know when you’re eating fast food you want it to be as healthy as possible! Haha. (prices may vary depending on your location):

Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger
(Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Wendy’s)

This is a great value that was priced at $2.69 as of September 2023 and a Double Bacon Stack goes for $3.59. (1 Order) 370 calories, 23 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 650 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (1 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 18 g protein.
Jack in the Box Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This burger can be found for as cheap as $3.19 but you can also get the Sourdough Jack for $4.69 and the Classic Buttery Jack for $4.79 according to Fast Food Menu Prices. (Cheeseburger 1 Order) 570 calories, 30 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 1310 mg sodium, 45 g carbs (3 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 30 g protein.
Dairy Queen Signature Cheeseburger Stackburger
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The double cheeseburger goes for $4.99 in some DQ locations. (Double) 570 calories, 34 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 1530 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (1 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 29 g protein.
McDonald’s Cheeseburger
(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

McDonald’s has gotten some bad press lately over their really high prices but the classic cheeseburger and McDouble are still affordable. A cheeseburger is $1.88 and a McDouble goes for $2.60. (Cheeseburger 1 Order) 300 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 720 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (2 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 15 g protein.
Burger King Bacon Double Cheeseburger
(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This BK burger goes for as little as $2.09 in some locations and if you exclude the bacon it costs $1.99. (1 Order) 440 calories, 24 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 970 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (1.4 g fiber, 7.7 g sugar), 27.1 g protein.
Culver’s ButterBurger with Cheese
(Photo illustration by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)

Made with fresh meat and Wisconsin cheese, this burger can cost as little as $3.39 in some locations as of September 2023. (Single) 460 calories, 23 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 610 mg sodium, 39 g carbs (1 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 23 g protein.
Checkers/Rally’s Double Fry Lover’s Burger
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This burger goes for as low as $3.99 and the All American Cheeseburger is priced as low as $2.29. (Double 1 Order) 670 calories, 39 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 1780 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (3 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 28 g protein.