McDonald’s UK has announced a series of promotional offers for 2024, providing customers with opportunities to claim free fries on specific days. The primary promotion is the “Free Fries Friday” initiative, which allows customers to obtain complimentary fries with a qualifying purchase every Friday for the remainder of the year. Additionally, a separate, one-day promotion for National French Fry Day offers free fries without any purchase requirement. These offers are exclusively available to users of the McDonald’s UK mobile application.
The promotions are part of a broader strategy by the fast-food chain to enhance value for customers. Alongside the free fries offers, McDonald’s has introduced a new £5 value meal deal. This deal provides a combination of menu items for a fixed price, offering a structured, cost-effective option for consumers.
The following sections detail the specific terms, eligibility criteria, and processes for accessing these promotions, based solely on the information provided in the source documents.
Free Fries Friday Promotion
McDonald’s UK is running a “Free Fries Friday” promotion every Friday for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year. This offer is designed to provide regular value to app users.
Eligibility and Requirements
To claim the free fries, customers must meet two primary conditions: 1. Use the McDonald’s App: The promotion is exclusively available through the official McDonald’s mobile application. Orders placed via the app, including click-and-collect or delivery, are eligible. 2. Minimum Purchase: A minimum spend of £1 on any menu item or drink is required to qualify for the free fries. This purchase can be made in conjunction with the free fries offer.
Offer Details
- Product: A free medium-sized portion of French fries.
- Frequency: Available every Friday.
- Duration: The promotion runs until the end of 2024. The source indicates there are approximately 27 Fridays from the announcement date (late June 2024) until 27 December 2024, offering multiple opportunities to claim the free fries.
- Redemption Process: Customers should select the free fries offer within the McDonald’s app when placing their order for £1 or more of food or drink.
National French Fry Day Promotion
In addition to the weekly Friday offer, McDonald’s UK is celebrating National French Fry Day with a special, standalone promotion.
Date and Offer Details
- Date: The promotion is scheduled for 13 July 2024.
- Product: A free portion of French fries of any size (small, medium, or large).
- Key Condition: This offer requires no purchase. Customers can claim the free fries without needing to buy any other item.
- Platform: As with the Free Fries Friday, this promotion is also exclusive to the McDonald’s app.
The £5 Value Meal Deal
Alongside the free fries promotions, McDonald’s UK has launched a new value meal deal priced at £5. This deal is structured to provide a complete meal at a fixed, low cost.
Meal Composition
The £5 Value Meal includes the following components: - Main Item: A choice between a McDouble burger or a McChicken sandwich. - Side: A small portion of French fries. - Additional Item: A four-piece serving of Chicken McNuggets. - Beverage: A small soft drink.
Strategic Context
The introduction of the £5 Value Meal is presented as a response to market conditions, aiming to provide customers with a more affordable dining option. It is positioned as a complementary offer to the free fries promotions, allowing customers to enhance their meal with free fries on Fridays or to take advantage of the value meal deal at any time.
Access and Redemption Process
All offers are managed through the McDonald’s UK app. Customers must download and register on the app to participate. The process for redeeming the free fries is straightforward:
- Download the App: Ensure the official McDonald’s app is installed on a smartphone.
- Browse Offers: Navigate to the promotions or offers section within the app to locate the relevant free fries deal (either the weekly Friday offer or the National French Fry Day offer).
- Add to Order: For the Free Fries Friday, add the free fries to your order when you spend £1 or more. For National French Fry Day, add the free fries to your order without any additional purchase.
- Complete Order: Finalise the order for collection or delivery via the app.
The app also serves as the platform for accessing and purchasing the £5 Value Meal Deal.
Important Considerations for UK Consumers
While the source data provides clear details on the offers, consumers should be aware of the following points when participating:
- App Dependency: All promotions are tied to the McDonald’s app. There is no indication that these offers are available in-store without app usage.
- Geographic Scope: The source data does not specify any regional restrictions within the UK. The offers appear to be available nationwide, subject to standard app functionality and store participation.
- Offer Stacking: The information does not clarify whether the free fries from the Friday promotion can be combined with the £5 Value Meal Deal. The source states that free fries can be added to “any order $1 or more,” which could include the value meal, but this is not explicitly confirmed.
- Terms and Conditions: The sources mention general guidelines but do not provide a link to full, detailed terms and conditions. Consumers are advised to check the McDonald’s app for any specific limitations, such as expiry times on offer days or participating restaurant exclusions.
Comparison of Offers
To provide a clear overview, the key details of the promotions are summarised below:
| Promotion | Date / Frequency | Requirement | Free Product | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fries Friday | Every Friday until end of 2024 | Spend £1+ on any menu item | Medium Fries | McDonald’s App |
| National French Fry Day | 13 July 2024 | No purchase necessary | Fries of any size | McDonald’s App |
| £5 Value Meal Deal | Ongoing (as of June 2024) | Purchase the meal deal | McDouble or McChicken, small fries, 4-piece nuggets, small drink | McDonald’s App / In-store |
Conclusion
McDonald’s UK has implemented a multi-faceted promotional strategy for 2024 centred on providing value through free fries and a new value meal. The “Free Fries Friday” promotion offers a recurring weekly benefit for app users, while the National French Fry Day provides a one-day, no-purchase-required incentive. The launch of the £5 Value Meal Deal introduces a fixed-price meal option. All offers are exclusively accessible via the McDonald’s mobile application, underscoring the chain’s focus on digital engagement. UK consumers interested in these promotions should ensure they have the app installed and are familiar with the specific terms for each offer.