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Restaurants Target $10 Meals to Lure Budget-Conscious Diners

From Chili's Big Smasher to Papa Murphy's $10 Tuesday, restaurants are betting on budget-friendly meals. But will it pay off for all?

In this picture we can see food boxes in the racks. We can see price notes.
In this picture we can see food boxes in the racks. We can see price notes.

Restaurants Target $10 Meals to Lure Budget-Conscious Diners

In the current economic climate, several restaurants near me are targeting the $10 full-meal price point to attract budget-conscious customers. Chili's, Papa Murphy's, and others have introduced or revived affordable meal deals, with mixed results for the industry.

Chili's, known for its Tex-Mex cuisine, launched the Big Smasher, a Big Mac-like burger, as part of its 3 for Me combo meal for $10.99 in April 2024. The chain has since seen consistent double-digit same-store sales growth, thanks in part to its robust social media campaign promoting the value meal as a better option than fast food.

Papa Murphy's, a take-and-bake pizza chain, brought back its $10 Tuesday deal on large pizzas earlier this summer. Meanwhile, other restaurants near me have joined the trend. Red Robin debuted a $9.99 Big Yummm meal deal in July, while California Pizza Kitchen launched a $10 Pizza Days promo on Mondays and Tuesdays in August. Moe's Southwest Grill also joined in with a $9.95 Moe Value Meal in September.

However, not all companies have seen positive results. McDonald's U.S. same-store sales grew by only 2.5% during its second quarter, indicating that the fast food giant may not be benefiting as much from the trend. Habit Burger & Grill, on the other hand, extended its Gotta Habit Meal Deals at $6, $8, and $10 price points in September, suggesting that the strategy may work for some but not all.

The $10 full-meal price point has become a popular strategy for restaurants near me in the current economic environment. While some chains like Chili's have seen success, others like McDonald's have not. The trend may continue, but its long-term effects on the fast casual segment remain to be seen.

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