McDonald's raises the price of Australia's most popular meal - as customers unleash on the change: 'Worse and worse'

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 02:37, 17 June 2026 | Updated: 02:37, 17 June 2026 Australians are set to fork out more for one of McDonald's most popular budget meals after the fast-food giant announced the end of a key pricing guarantee. The $6.95 McSmart Meal was launched as a lifeline for cash-strapped customers in 2024 amid the nation's cost-of-living crisis. But fans feared the deal would end after some diners spotted fine print revealing the deal was only guaranteed until June 30, 2026. In a statement, McDonald's Australia chief executive Joe Chiczewski confirmed the meal would stay but the price would increase by $1 to $7.95 from July 1. 'When we launched our 12-month price promise on McSmart, it quickly became one of your favourite ways to order a delicious, affordable meal at Macca's,' he said. 'Our 12-month price promise comes to an end on June 30, but our commitment to value doesn't. 'Whether it's a quick lunch, an easy dinner or a well-deserved treat, we want every customer to be able to count on us for a great meal at a price that works.' From July, customers will be able to choose either a cheeseburger or chicken ‘n’ cheese burger for the main part of the new deal. Customers queue at McDonald's outlet in Bondi Junction (pictured) in Sydney The McSmart Meal (pictured) was launched as a lifeline for cash-strapped customers in 2024 It will come with a small fries, a small soft drink and a side of either three-piece chicken nuggets, a hash brown, a hot apple pie or cookies. The fast food giant will also introduce two new budget options: the McSmart Plus and McSmart Saver. The Plus option will cost $9.95 and include a McDouble burger, small fries, a small soft drink and a choice of chicken 'n' cheese, three-piece chicken nuggets, a hash brown or a small sundae. The $6.95 Saver option, available exclusively on the MyMacca’s app, includes a hamburger, small fries, a small soft drink and three-piece chicken nuggets.  Some Australians have used social media to criticise the changes to the budget-friendly meal. 'In the past two years I've had Maccas about once a month and it's the only thing I've ordered,' one user said. 'I cannot justify the asking price of anything else on the menu.' Another said: 'Mate are you kidding?! It's the only thing I've gotten from them since moving to Australia! Everything else is way too f***ing expensive for fast food.' McDonald's Australia chief executive Joe Chiczewski (pictured) said the deal will continue but the price will increase by $1 to $7.95 from July 1 In the McSmart Meal, customers pick a cheeseburger or chicken 'n' cheese. It comes with a small fries, a small soft drink and a side of either three-piece chicken nuggets, a hash brown, a hot apple pie or cookies Others said the brand's once-popular deals offered customers less. 'Yep, some of the deals used to be great,' a commenter said. 'They're slowly getting worse and worse. Now that they've got a lot of people using the app they probably don't need to incentivise people as much anymore.' Some were unsympathetic, arguing the chain had been 'overpriced and shrinking' for years. 'People are stupid for their high expectations for Maccas. It's been garbage for a long time,' one comment read.  'Can't believe we were so lucky with the McSmart, but no surprise they are taking it away.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.