A popular restaurant chain known for launching its own tribute to the Big Mac has customers flocking to try its food offerings.
Chili’s new Big Smasher is available for just $10.99 as part of the 3 for Me Value Meal, which includes a side such as fries or mashed potatoes and a drink.
With fast food prices rising across the country, efforts to help consumers access more for less are paying off: Brinker International, the restaurant’s parent company, is reporting an increase in sales of about 15 percent.
While the Big Smasher doesn’t have an extra slice of bread in the middle like its McDonald’s rival, it does have “twice the meat of a Big Mac and flavors that fast food lovers will recognize.”
Topped with diced onions, lettuce, pickles, cheese and Thousand Island dressing, the burger “significantly outperformed the industry in both sales and traffic during the quarter,” according to Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman.
Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s, reported a nearly 15 percent increase in sales and about six percent in traffic, all thanks to the new Big Smasher burger meal (pictured).
A Big Mac at a McDonald’s in Branford, Connecticut, sells for a whopping $14.69
The CEO added that the new affordable fare will continue through the rest of the year as it has “been successful in driving traffic and tapping into the cultural conversation around fast food pricing.”
Since lunch at McDonald’s costs about the same as at chains like Chili’s, the restaurant decided to “use fast food as a foil” to promote its new offerings.
Ads for the new burger claim it’s better than “a small drive-thru burger” and show its “3 For Me” menu alongside a Big Mac.
Chili’s ‘3 for Me’ deal allows customers to enjoy the new Big Smasher burger, a side of fries, an appetizer and an unlimited drink for $10.99.
“We believe Chili’s 3 for Me offers better value than you’ll find at any drive-thru, and with the new Big Smasher burger, we’ve made ‘3 for Me’ even better,” George Felix, Chili’s chief marketing officer, previously said.
Since lunch at McDonald’s costs about the same as at chains like Chili’s, the restaurant decided to “use fast food as a resource” to promote its new offerings.
Shortly after Chili’s launched its new burger meal in April, McDonald’s quickly responded by offering customers a limited-time deal on a $5 meal.
Shortly after Chili’s launched its new burger in April, McDonald’s quickly responded by offering customers a limited-time deal on a $5 meal.
Customers can now enjoy a $5 McChicken meal or a $5 McDouble meal, which the fast food chain says has been so popular it will remain on the menu through August.
In a July memo, obtained by CNNMcDonald’s said the cheap food “served to attract customers back to our restaurants.”
Fast food prices have been rising, with McDonald’s raising prices by about 10 percent in 2022 and 2023, according to the company’s chief financial officer, Ian Borden.
Customers are increasingly resentful of rising costs, with one TikTok creator going viral explaining how Chili’s is now cheaper than McDonald’s.
Eason Trbojevic told his followers that Chili’s “3 for Me” deal is now less expensive than going to McDonald’s.
“Chili’s is cheaper than McDonald’s, and yet there’s no one here,” Trbojevic explains in the video, which has been viewed more than 2.7 million times.
“You get your drink, your small fries, your cheeseburger and your fries,” he said.
She added: “I love my local Chili’s and will be back soon.”
As a result of rising inflationary prices and customer dissatisfaction, chains have increasingly turned to promotional offers like Chili’s 3 for Me to attract customers.
Fast food prices have been on the rise, and McDonald’s has raised its prices by about 10 percent in 2022 and 2023, according to the company’s chief financial officer, Ian Borden. (pictured: McDonald’s Big Mac menu)
Applebee’s has also jumped on the affordable burger trend by selling its Whole Lotta Burger (pictured) for just $9.99.
Applebee’s “2 for $25” deal gives customers two entrées and a choice of an appetizer or two side salads.
The chain has also jumped on the affordable burger trend by selling its Whole Lotta Burger for just $9.99.
In May, John Peyton, CEO of Applebee’s parent company Dine Brands, said: CNN‘Why would you take a $10 hamburger out of your car… that you can eat in a bag?’
Similarly, Red Lobster’s Shrimp Your Way meal deal includes three shrimp plates for $25 or two for $21.