McDonald's price rise on UK menu favourite as fans outraged: 'Nearly £2? Britain is broken!'

The backlash began after a photograph of a menu board showing a £1.99 price was shared on X, where it quickly gained traction and drew more than 450,000 views within 48 hours.

This has prompted a wave of comments from diners who said they were shocked by how expensive the breakfast item had become.

Many customers said they were taken aback by the increase, with one widely shared post declaring: “£2 for one solitary hash brown. We are officially done.”

Others argued that the rise felt disproportionate for an item that had long been considered one of the chain’s cheapest and most reliable add‑ons.

Several users described the price as “madness” and a “rip off”, while one customer noted that although they rarely visited McDonald’s, the hash brown had always been a dependable budget option.

Another admitted that while it remained their favourite item on the menu, the new price was simply “too far”.

Some diners said the increase had made the breakfast menu less appealing overall, pointing out that at certain locations a sausage sandwich now costs the same as a single hash brown.

Others recalled paying as little as 59p in previous years and questioned how the price had climbed to more than triple that amount.

Although the £1.99 charge applies to fewer than five per cent of McDonald’s UK restaurants, it still sits noticeably above the typical price of between £1.59 and £1.69 seen across most branches, and represents a significant jump from the roughly 89p customers paid in 2019.

Prices are even higher on delivery platforms, where Just Eat lists hash browns at £2.39 before delivery and service fees are added.

This means the total cost for a single item can easily exceed £4 once charges are applied.

McDonald’s has previously said that rising ingredient and supply costs mean menu prices are reviewed periodically.

The company also highlights its investment in product quality, including sourcing 100 per cent British and Irish beef and using 100 per cent chicken breast in its Chicken McNuggets.

A spokesman said price variations reflect the structure of the business, explaining that a significant proportion of McDonald’s restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees who set their own prices.

However, all are expected to maintain the company’s commitment to offering a high‑quality experience and good value for money.

The reaction to hash brown pricing follows a series of recent complaints about rising costs at the chain.

Earlier this year, McDonald’s ended its £5 meal deal and replaced it with a Meal Deal Plus priced at £5.59, a change that many customers said undermined the value the brand was known for.

The company has also announced updates to its loyalty scheme, which from March will require customers to collect more points to redeem free items.

McDonald’s says it reflects increased food and supply costs across the industry.

The restaurant has not indicated whether further price changes are planned, leaving customers uncertain about whether the cost of popular menu items will continue to rise.

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