Leiela Kapewa-Latu took to TikTok to share a McDonald’s secret: the “dinner box.” This life hack, which Leiela discovered at a Texas McDonald’s, provides a hearty dinner for only $12. This supper box has two cheeseburgers, four small fries, a 10-piece chicken nugget, two Big Macs, and an array of sauces, all neatly packed in a bright yellow and white striped box reminiscent of the original Happy Meals.
What is McDonald’s $12 dinner box?
Leiela said, “If you didn’t know, like we didn’t know, $12 gets you a dinner box. It’s not on the menu,” she explained in her video. The clip quickly went viral, amassing nearly 700,000 likes and sparking a nationwide conversation among McDonald’s customers.
One customer from Ohio expressed in a comment, “This dinner box is $22 here in Ohio, idk where it’s $12???” Similarly, a Nevada resident noted a different composition and price for their local Bundle Box, “In the Bundle Box Las Vegas comes with 2 Big Mac 2 Cheeseburgers 10pc Chix Nuggets 2 Medium Fries $14.99.”
Packaged discounts, such as the one that went viral, vary by location
McDonald’s stated that packaged discounts, such as the one that went viral, vary by location and are available through the McDonald’s app. A commenter weighed in, “If you go on the app, click on the shareable tab when ordering, there are different packages.” The majority of the audience was ecstatic to discover such an economical meal option, with one commenter exclaiming, “That’s a great deal!!”
The meal box’s viral appeal coincides with a shift in the fast-food industry’s pricing practices. Wendy’s, for example, revealed plans to implement “dynamic pricing” by 2025.
Wendy’s spokesman confirmed to People that their strategy would be different: “[We] would not raise prices when our customers visit us the most,” they asserted. “Any features we may test in the future would be designed to benefit our customers and restaurant crew members.” They went on to say that digital menu boards might allow them to change menu options throughout the day and provide discounts and value offers more readily, especially during less busy periods.