McDonald's fans gutted as chain quietly scraps popular deal

We’re just days into 2026, and it’s already been a turbulent time for McDonald’s lovers.

First, we said goodbye to the Grinch Christmas offering, welcomed back the Big Arch with open arms, and began indulging in the fast-food giant’s Secret Menu, featuring the controversial Surf N’ Turf burger.

Now, it seems as if McDonald’s has divided opinion once again, with reports claiming it’s quietly axed one of its popular meal deals.

On the restaurant’s app, fans used to be able to take advantage of a bargain bucket containing a Chicken Mayo or a Cheeseburger, Medium Fries, four Chicken McNuggets, and a soft drink.

This deal was launched by the chain in 2024, and collected somewhat of a cult following during the Cost of Living Crisis.

The McDonald's £5 Meal has quietly been upgraded (McDonald's)

But it appears that the £5 deal is no longer on the table, with the fast food giant seemingly replacing it with a new-and-improved version for 2026.

This year, Maccies app users can customise their meal deal a little bit more with the Meal Deal Plus.

The first difference is that you can swap the Medium Fries out for a side salad, pineapple stick, or carrot sticks.

Switching out the chips makes it easier to improve your nutrition and stick to any New Year goals which are on the cards for 2026.

Like the former £5 hero, the Meal Deal Plus allows you to pick between a Chicken Mayo or a Cheeseburger, and select a medium drink.

However, the four McNuggets are no longer standard - you can change these out too.

The McDonald's Meal Deal Plus is now available (McDonald's)

Instead, you can indulge your sweet tooth and select a Hot Apple Pie or a Mini Oreo or Smarties McFlurry as your bonus side.

As reported by Metro, you can also change the McNuggets out for a second Mayo Chicken or another Cheeseburger.

Burger add-ons are available to purchase, too. You can also go Large if you’re hungry.

The price of the Meal Deal Plus is £5.59 - 59p more than the original Meal Deal.

Redditors are having their say on the revamped deal, with many mourning the £5 combo menu loss.

“RiP £5 meal deal. Cheeky to even add it to the new section as well. Should have called it £5 Meal Deal Plus 59p,” one social media user commented.

A second reported: “I dont want the other options, can the price stay £5 in that case? Literally paying 59p extra for zero reason hits right in the wallet.”

People are debating whether the meal deal is an improvement (Getty Stock Image)

Over on X, someone else said: “The £5 meal deal at mc’ds is no longer a thing its the meal deal plus, £5.59 for a medium meal or £6.49 for a large i thought it was forever a £5 meal lollol.”

However, some McDonald’s fans have praised the change, with one writing: “But now instead of automatically getting 4 nuggets as the bonus, you can choose a cheeseburger or mayo chicken! Great deal!”

“McDouble meal deal. Idk if the franchises on the east coast have it but it’s a McDonald fries 4 piece nuggets and a drink for $6. Goated value tbh,” someone else claimed.

A spokesperson for McDonald's told FOODbible in a statement: “Our new Meal Deal Plus offers more choice than ever before with new options to add four Chicken McNuggets, an Apple Pie, Mini McFlurry, Mayo Chicken or a Cheeseburger to your meal. It’s what our customers told us they want, more choice while still delivering exceptional value.”