McDonald’s MCD -0.35%decrease; red down pointing triangle

is lowering the cost of its combo meals, after consumers were left sticker-shocked by Big Mac meals that climbed to $18 in some places.

The burger giant’s move follows weeks of discussions between McDonald’s and restaurant operators, including the company offering financial support if franchisees agreed to drop prices, according to people involved in the discussions.

After pitching operators on the plan, McDonald’s and its U.S. franchisees agreed to keep the cost of eight popular combo meals 15% below the sum of the individual items’ prices, according to company materials viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The chain also will run $5 breakfast and $8 Big Mac and McNugget combo-meal specials later this year, marketing them as Extra Value Meals.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5764598&forum_id=2),#49200591)