2 weeks Ago By By Jordan Valinsky, CNN
NEW YORK — Wednesday is National Cheeseburger Day, with some of the biggest chains offering some much-needed discounts amid consumer complaints about rising prices . McDonald’s, the biggest company, is selling 50-cent double cheeseburgers when they’re ordered in its app – about 45 cents more than what the chain’s original hamburger cost in 1948. It’s part of company’s string of deals to kickstart slumping sales, including recently extending its popular $5 value meal until December.
Fast food has been a low-profit margin business with little customer loyalty. Chains have been unveiling big giveaways , typically tied to their mobile apps, to help drive business and develop more repeat customers. Many chains, like McDonald's, are offering deals on cheeseburgers on September 18.
And McDonald’s isn’t the only burger chain to offer deals. Wendy’s is selling a junior bacon cheeseburger for just one cent through Sept. 22, as long as you buy something else from the menu on its app.
Also, Burger King is giving away a free cheeseburger as long as you buy something else that costs at least $1 through its app. Smaller chains are offering similar deals, too. Jack in the Box is tossing in a “Jumbo Jack” cheeseburger with a $1 purchase on its app, and the Carl’s Jr.
app is offering a half-priced double cheeseburger. White Castle is offering a buy one, get one deal on its Cheese Sliders in the app with the code “SAYCHEESE.” Smashburger, which just unveiled a new logo and menu, is selling $5 cheeseburgers (which typically cost more than $7) with the code “BURGERDAY” on its app or in-store, as well as offering a vegetarian alternative.
Plus, it’s giving a “bounce-back coupon” to anyone that orders the deal so customers can come back and get 50% off any burger or sandwich on a future visit. McDonald’s pricey burgers have become a flashpoint of criticism and a symbol of elevated fast food prices. Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, wrote in an open letter posted to the company’s website in May that the company’s franchisees needed to avoid one-off price hikes that hurt the company’s reputation.
And he noted that prices haven’t risen nearly as much as people think. Still, customers have turned their backs on fast food companies, shifting to casual dining chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s , which many customers believe offer more value. So deals are particularly crucial to fast food companies at the moment to lure customers back.
___ We also took a look at the cities in the U.S. where it's easiest to choose a quick and relatively healthy fast food option.
To figure this out, we looked at the top 50 most populated American metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and found the number of each fast food chain per 100,000 people. The more healthy options available, the more likely you may be to pick that one when you need a convenient meal or snack. Here's what we found.
In order to calculate the best and worst fast food sandwich options, we looked at the 10 top restaurants that offer sandwiches, ranked by chains that have the most revenue in the U.S.: Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Wendy's, Popeyes, Jack in the Box, and Firehouse Subs.
From there, we evaluated all sandwich and burger options at each restaurant. From there, we found the nutritional data for each menu item in each of the following categories: The healthiest sandwiches were high in protein and low in calories, trans fat, and net carbs. Protein was weighted with a 3x multiplier, while trans fat was weighted 2x.
We then averaged each sandwich to determine the final rankings. Get the data . Before you start your order, consider these three strategies to optimize healthy decision making when heading to a fast food restaurant for a sandwich.
Having an overall healthy diet doesn't mean you can never eat out at your favorite fast food restaurant—everything in moderation! Understanding which menu items are likely to keep you feeling satiated while also fueling your body can help you make healthier choices that you'll feel good about. Connecting with a healthcare provider for help can help you understand your body's needs while incorporating lasting behavioral changes into your daily routine. This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
One of the most effective ways to manage your weight and health is to eat a nutritious diet with whole foods. But even as you build healthy eating habits , you may find yourself in need of a quick meal when you're on a tight schedule. Hers took a look at the nutrition facts of sandwiches, including burgers, at 10 of the largest fast food chains in the country to discover the healthiest (and unhealthiest) options to help you make mindful choices when you're on the go.
Fast food restaurants may not always have the most nutritious options (most fast food is considered ultraprocessed , which typically leaves you feeling less full), but if you're looking for a sandwich on the healthier side, focus on menu items that are high in protein and low in trans fat, net carbs, and calories. Here's how the full lists stacked up. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.
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