McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski recently addressed consumer concerns regarding the brand’s pricing strategy and the introduction of the new “Big Arch” burger. Amid social media backlash over rising menu costs, Kempczinski emphasized the company’s commitment to restoring its reputation for value. The Big Arch is a larger, multi-patty burger designed to provide greater satiety for customers seeking more substantial meals. Currently being tested in select international markets, the item aims to balance premium quality with competitive pricing as the company navigates inflationary pressures and shifts in consumer spending habits.
- McDonald’s is piloting the “Big Arch,” a larger burger featuring two beef patties, layered cheese, and a new tangy sauce.
- The new menu item is designed to meet customer demand for “satiety,” or a meal that offers a greater sense of fullness for the price.
- CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that recent price increases have impacted the brand’s perception as a low-cost leader among consumers.
- The “Big Arch” is currently undergoing testing in international markets, including Canada and Portugal, to evaluate its potential for a wider rollout.
- The company has implemented short-term promotions, such as a $5 meal deal, to attract budget-conscious diners who have reduced their visit frequency.
- Leadership noted that while higher-income consumers remain consistent, lower-income demographics have pulled back due to broader economic constraints.
The Wall Street Journal is an American business and economic-focused international daily newspaper based in New York City. The Journal is published six days a week by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corp.
AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center
https://www.allsides.com/news-source/wall-street-journal-media-bias
Official website: https://www.wsj.com
Original video here.
This summary has been generated by AI.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://allnewschannels.com/news/wsj/2026/04/06/mcdonalds-ceo-addresses-criticisms-of-new-big-arch-burger/&media=https://allnewschannels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/McDonalds_CEO_Addresses_Criticisms_of_New_Big_Arch_Burger.png&description=McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski addresses pricing concerns and introduces the new "Big Arch" burger as the chain seeks to restore its reputation for value.){kind=link}
I am going to buy a BIG ARCH now….
If it wasn’t immediately obvious this was done for the shareholders. What average McDonald’s customer is subscribed to the WSJ? If this was about assuaging customers they would’ve put this out on IG or twitter (I refuse to say X it’s absurd). The entire vibe of this interview screams “Don’t fire me.”
Mcdonald's is overpriced trash
bro trying to act like the OG who created McDonald
Value Conscious customer is corporate speak for poor people who can't afford anything else but our sh*** food.
get sam reid in the mc uni!
Feels like a kid interviewing his grandpa
5:30 Unlike Taylor from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives/Bachelorette, there is no “bad” publicity from a viral video. It brought more attention to the McD Big Arch. Regardless if it was planned or not, people are talking McD, and not Burger King CEO eating their burger.
Lol he "got a call from his kid." Lie detected
Trump! Where's the executive order removing tax payer funding from price gouging corporations 🤬😡😡😡😡
Stop. Calling. Food. Products.
McDonald’s bang for your buck and overall value have really gone downhill these days. Take where I am on the west coast of Canada, for example—you can’t seriously tell me that a Big Mac meal costs twice as much as a typical California roll or even a standard Chinese food meal.
What’s happening is that McDonald’s seems to have stopped listening to customers. They’re stuck jumping through red tape and corporate rules, while places like China Garden consistently offer better deals and even customize meals to what people actually want.
In short: McDonald’s used to be convenient and reasonably priced—but now, in terms of value and flexibility, local alternatives are leaving it in the dust.
Lol its funny how homie cant stop calling what they serve as "product."
The product was never tested
I stopped impulse buying mcdonalds based on nothing more than how much their CEO thinks his own food is disgusting
He did it again with the nugget 😂
thank god you guys made this
He look like he wants to throw up after the video is over XDD
The fake CEO doing a fake interview
This guy still has a job?
McDonald's could put in someone who works there and would make a better ceo.
This guy is reaching so hard.
It’s simple. He’s just introverted. Which is unusual for a CEO. But of course he eats the burgers. And probably thinks they are alright.
Blame my mom
He gets paid 20 million per year and he can't successfully hide his disgust of eating McDonald's food.
He should hire an acting coach.
Pog face thumbnail lol
Is he going to swallow that?
Tbh CEO won with that viral marketing
The viral video was the only reason I decided to try the Big Arch. So I guess it worked.
'Gold Standard'? Who is this fellow kidding? It's the cheapest, yet still edible, form of foodstuff that science can sell to hungry people. Gold Standard it is not, yet overpriced it still is. Profit is the backbone of any industry, but McDonalds takes this a country mile too far. This stuff they sell, is the bare minimum that can still be called food. Its ingredients are 'buttons', yet still sold for a huge markup. If I was McDonalds I would keep my corporate mouth tightly shut, stick to the 'magic sauce' that makes consumers keep coming back and not talk complete bollox to a population that can see through corporate technobabble as clearly as spring water. Have I got my message through?
When talking about the fry, he says “ there’s a lot that goes into it” and by that I imagine he means lots of ingredients to make a simple potato fry
McDonald's lost it's way long ago. When shareholders became more important than real food at competitive prices.
McDonalds has helped me lose weight on the scale. Every time I eat it I get diarrhea and lose a ton of water.
how much did mcdonalds pay for this video?
How much did McDonald’s pay to get this interview??
They even dressed the same.
He may well be an effective executive overall, but he obviously just doesn't like the product. Apparently he leads a very health conscious lifestyle. At the end of the day I don't think the video going viral would really impact sales in a bad way, it may even help. People that like McDonald's are still going to want to try the burger.
0:21 who eats a fry like that
McDonald’s excels at products