McDonald’s newest $3 value menu is sounding an alarm about America’s K-shaped economy

McDonald’s is rolling out its cheapest value menu in years, a move that could speak more to the state of the American economy than it does fast food.

Even as sales rose for the quarter, executives at the world’s largest burger chain acknowledged in its February earnings call the fast food environment, which has pulled back in recent quarters, would “remain challenging” in 2026. Despite the company’s own progress attracting lower-income customer in the company’s fourth quarter, this tier of consumers...