McDonald's to briefly sell burgers for a price unseen in decades

While you may still be able to find something you can buy for under a dollar (often at a store selling candy by the piece), prices in the cent range are by now almost entirely a relic of an earlier era.

Countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden have all removed the one cent coin from their circulation in the last decade while more and more cash registers in the U.S. do not carry them either — with the use of cash declining in general, many store clerks will just round change to the closest nickel in the odd instances it's necessary.

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Even as inflation has started to cool from some of the double-digit increases seen for much of 2022, it is still a pleasant surprise to see prices from a time when pennies might have been more common.

McDonald's is offering this low price 'for one day only' (here's how to claim it)

To celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18, McDonald's  (MCD) - Get Free Report is offering such a price for its classic Double Cheeseburger. To claim the offer, customers will need to go onto the Golden Arches mobile app and order it as they would any other item for pickup and delivery — the price of the chain's classic two-patties-and-cheese sandwich should be automatically set for 50 cents.

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"For one day only, fans can snag a Double Cheeseburger for only $0.50 from any participating location nationwide when they order exclusively through the McDonald’s App," McDonald's told news outlets.

The best part is that no other purchase is necessary so one really will be able to pay 50 cents and get a burger in return (as long as you do not add delivery and pick it up yourself.)

Earlier this year, the chain also handed out free fries in honor of National Fry Day in July.

Prices aren't the only nostalgic thing happening at McDonald's

Along with driving people to download its app (there is no other way to claim the 50-cent cheeseburger), the low price harkens people back to a different time — a McDonald's Double Cheeseburger cost 50 cents in 1982.

Over the last year, the iconic burger chain has leaned heavily into the nostalgic factor to develop its business plan going forward. It launched its "Adult Happy Meals" with 1970s and 1980s-era character figurines like the Hamburglar and Grimace in October 2022 and then put out a viral campaign featuring the beloved purple mascot that sent same-day store sales up nearly 12% between April and June 2023.

Much of the success came from adult fans looking to bring back some of the memories they have from childhood.

"We took the nostalgic experience of celebrating birthdays at McDonald's and repackaged it for a new generation," CFO Ian Borden said in the last earnings call. "It quickly became one of our most socially engaging campaigns of all time, with millions of reactions on our social media posts — a true demonstration of how the power of our brand emerges in organic and creative ways in our fans."

In the same call, CEO Chris Kempczinski also hinted at a new restaurant concept inspired by past McDonaldland character CosMc.