San Diego-based Jack in the Box shared on Wednesday details of its new value menu under $4, which will launch June 3. The quick-service restaurant’s new menu, called Jack’s Munchies Under $4, will offer 11 menu items along with an option to add a drink.
“As the only place to offer true variety to tackle any and every craving you might have, Jack in the Box is committed to maintaining that variety at a value that still leaves some extra cash in your pocket,” said Ryan Ostrom, CMO, in a statement. “We want to make sure customers don’t have to sacrifice their favorite things when they want to eat out. In addition to rolling out this new menu, we’re also doubling down with exclusive digital offers since we know that’s where so many of our customers consistently visit us.”
There are familiar favorites on the new Jack’s Munchies Under $4 menu, like the French Toast Sticks and Two Tacos, as well as a brand-new menu item, the Sourdough Grilled Cheese. It’s a grilled cheese made with “American and Swiss style cheeses” on sourdough bread, according to a company release.
The rest of the menu includes:
- Jr. Jumbo Jack: A burger with tomato, pickle, lettuce, onions, ketchup, and mayo;
- Tiny Tacos: 5 piece crunchy, bite-size Tiny Tacos with a side of creamy avocado lime sauce;
- Chicken Nuggets: 4-piece chicken nuggets;
- Jr. Chicken Sandwich: Breaded chicken with lettuce and mayonnaise on a toasted bakery bun;
- Jr. Cheeseburger with American cheese, ketchup, and mayo;
- Value Curly Fries;
- Value French Fries; and
- Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with hickory smoked bacon, American cheese, ketchup, and mayo.
Jack’s Munchies under $4 will be available in stores, in drive-thrus, online, and via the chain’s loyalty app.
Earlier in May, it was rumored that McDonald’s would launch a $5 meal this summer for four weeks only.
A few weeks later, Burger King announced it would bring back its $5 Your Way Meal. Miami-based Burger King’s $5 meal will include a choice of one of three sandwiches with nuggets, fries, and a drink.
A memo leaked to Bloomberg noted that the Burger King deal would debut before McDonald’s and run for a longer time.
This is all during a time when QSR chains are becoming a “luxury”, according to a recent study of consumers. The price of a McDonald’s Big Mac, for example, has gone up over 20% since 2019 due to supply chain and labor costs.
According to a new LendingTree survey, 62% of American consumers eat QSR food less frequently than they used to.
If consumers aren’t getting what they consider a good value at QSR chains, they are going to turn to fast-casual chains for their perceived value and flavors.
It’s been proven in the numbers: Fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Wingstop reported significantly increased traffic and sales in the most recent quarter, a stark contrast to their QSR peers.
On the other hand, casual-dining chains like Chili’s and Applebee’s are leaning into value through deals or messaging to get customers back who have traded down to fast-casual.