How Trump’s tariffs could make your iPhone cost $3,500
Subtitles
  • Off
  • English

McDonald's and other chains are spending big on splashy meal deal ads

So far, McDonald's has spent the most on advertising its $5 meal deal

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Start Slideshow
The sun sets at a McDonald’s in Wellington, England.
The sun sets at a McDonald’s in Wellington, England.
Image: Anna Barclay (Getty Images)

It’s the summer of meal deals – and fast food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King are going tit-for-tat on bargains.

Advertisement

Their efforts to get diners to make burger runs again also means they’ve had to spend quite a bit of money on marketing (say a few million) to reach them.

So far, McDonald’s has spent roughly $8.4 million on promoting the bundle, according to TV and streaming advertising firm iSpot, which provided data to Quartz.

Notably, the chain aired two national ads promoting the $5 meal deal – one in English and one in Spanish. Taking into account other promotions, McDonald’s has spent roughly $13.1 million on TV ads.

The firm’s data looks at a timeline of June 25-July 21, when other rival chains also had similar campaigns for $5 deals.

Let’s take a look at the estimated amount some chains spent on their respective promotions, including the amount of TV impressions their spot garnered during that window.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide
A McDonald’s in London.
A McDonald’s in London.
Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures (Getty Images)
  • TV Ad spend: $8.4 million
  • TV Impressions: 1.89 billion
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide
A Burger King in Barcelona, Spain.
A Burger King in Barcelona, Spain.
Image: Xavi Lopez/SOPA Images/LightRocket (Getty Images)
  • TV Ad spend: $6.1 million
  • TV Impressions: 2.2 billion
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide
A Wendy’s in New York.
A Wendy’s in New York.
Image: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto (Getty Images)
  • TV Ad spend: $4.3 million
  • TV Impressions: 2.2 billion
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Dairy Queen’s $7 Meal Deal

A Dairy Queen, or DQ, in Shanghai, China.
A Dairy Queen, or DQ, in Shanghai, China.
Image: Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket (Getty Images)
  • TV Ad spend: $2 million
  • TV Impressions: 2.2 billion
Advertisement