{"surveyDate":"2026-08-06","runTimestamp":"2026-08-06T08:04:37.875Z","methodologyVersion":"3.1","instrument":{"model":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","promptHash":"c23897aa18807fd9","reasoningEffort":"xhigh"},"metros":[{"metro":"New York, NY","status":"verified","price":4.05,"reportedPrice":4.05,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/new-york/new-york","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"standard_menu","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 29 tracked locations. Above Under-$3 value threshold but within plausibility band."},{"metro":"Philadelphia, PA","status":"verified","price":2.98,"reportedPrice":2.98,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/pennsylvania/philadelphia","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 28 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Atlanta, GA","status":"verified","price":2.65,"reportedPrice":2.65,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/georgia/atlanta","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 18 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Miami, FL","status":"verified","price":2.83,"reportedPrice":2.83,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/florida/miami","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 35 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Dallas, TX","status":"verified","price":2.1,"reportedPrice":2.1,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/texas/dallas","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 34 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Chicago, IL","status":"verified","price":2.87,"reportedPrice":2.87,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/illinois/chicago","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 49 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Kansas City, MO","status":"verified","price":2.29,"reportedPrice":2.29,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/missouri/kansas-city","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 19 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Columbus, OH","status":"verified","price":2.48,"reportedPrice":2.48,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/ohio/columbus","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 26 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Los Angeles, CA","status":"verified","price":3.56,"reportedPrice":3.56,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/california/los-angeles","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"standard_menu","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 40 tracked locations. Above Under-$3 value threshold but within plausibility band."},{"metro":"Seattle, WA","status":"verified","price":4.28,"reportedPrice":4.28,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/washington/seattle","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"standard_menu","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 15 tracked locations. High for panel but within plausibility band."},{"metro":"Denver, CO","status":"verified","price":2.6,"reportedPrice":2.6,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/colorado/denver","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"value_menu_listed","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 18 tracked locations. Under-$3 everyday value-menu level; not a bundle/coupon."},{"metro":"Phoenix, AZ","status":"verified","price":3.04,"reportedPrice":3.04,"sourceUrl":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds/arizona/phoenix","sourceType":"pinned_aggregator","priceType":"standard_menu","pageUpdated":"August 2026","asOf":"2026-08-06","carriedFromDate":null,"citationCheck":{"fetched":true,"priceFound":true,"httpStatus":200,"error":null},"notes":"Primary page; app-sourced city-wide average across 38 tracked locations. Just above Under-$3 value threshold; within plausibility band."}],"spec":{"reading":{"grams":139.46,"nutrientMedianGrams":139.48,"crossCheckDeltaGrams":0.02,"components":[{"name":"McChicken Patty","grams":61.06},{"name":"Regular Bun","grams":50.71},{"name":"Shredded Lettuce","grams":14.2},{"name":"Mayonnaise","grams":13.49}],"calories":390,"protein":14,"fetchedAt":"2026-08-06T08:00:49.304Z"},"status":"verified","appliedGrams":139.46,"rawExcerpt":{"item_name":"McChicken","components":[{"product_name":"McChicken Patty","quantity":"0.6106"},{"product_name":"Regular Bun","quantity":"0.5071"},{"product_name":"Shredded Lettuce","quantity":"0.142"},{"product_name":"Mayonnaise","quantity":"0.13488703"}],"nutrient_facts":[{"name":"Calories","value":"390","hundred_g_per_product":"279.7","uom":" Cal."},{"name":"Protein","value":"14","hundred_g_per_product":"10","uom":"g"},{"name":"Carbohydrates","value":"38","hundred_g_per_product":"27.2","uom":"g"},{"name":"Total Fat","value":"21","hundred_g_per_product":"15.1","uom":"g"},{"name":"Sodium","value":"560","hundred_g_per_product":"401.6","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Saturated Fat","value":"3.5","hundred_g_per_product":"2.5","uom":"g"},{"name":"Trans Fat","value":"0","hundred_g_per_product":"0","uom":"g"},{"name":"Cholesterol","value":"40","hundred_g_per_product":"28.7","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Dietary Fiber","value":"1","hundred_g_per_product":"0.7","uom":"g"},{"name":"Total Sugars","value":"4","hundred_g_per_product":"2.9","uom":"g"},{"name":"Added Sugars","value":"4","hundred_g_per_product":"2.9","uom":"g"},{"name":"Vitamin D","value":"0","hundred_g_per_product":"0","uom":"mcg"},{"name":"Calcium","value":"20","hundred_g_per_product":"14.3","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Iron","value":"2","hundred_g_per_product":"1.4","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Potassium","value":"310","hundred_g_per_product":"222.3","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Vitamin B6","value":"0","hundred_g_per_product":"0","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Phosphorus","value":"0","hundred_g_per_product":"0","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Caffeine","value":"0","hundred_g_per_product":"0","uom":"mg"},{"name":"Calories From Fat","value":"190","hundred_g_per_product":"136.2","uom":" Cal."},{"name":"Energy kJ","value":"1640","hundred_g_per_product":"1176","uom":"kJ"},{"name":"Dietary Fiber 2015","value":"1","hundred_g_per_product":"0.7","uom":"g"}]}},"wage":{"usdPerHour":32.38,"month":"2026-06","fetchedAt":"2026-08-06T08:01:03.903Z","source":"FRED AHETPI (api)"},"nationalEstimates":[{"estimate":2.86,"source_url":"https://menupricetracker.com/mcdonalds-menu/mcchicken","as_of":"2026-07-30","description":"MenuPriceTracker national average McChicken price, stated as $2.86 across 13,575 U.S. locations; page says last updated July 30, 2026 and data last updated August 2026."}],"regimeEvents":[{"date":"2026-08-04","event":"AP reported McDonald's Q2 earnings-call comments that U.S. base menu pricing had drifted above competitors in many places and that the company planned more national digital offers starting the following week; flag as corporate pricing/value-strategy signal, not an index price input.","source_url":"https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-profit-economy-9b9ef2da69dc72451928176f17051126"},{"date":"2026-08-06","event":"Current McDonald's McValue page continued to list McChicken under the national Under $3 Menu and the McChicken Meal Deal under $5 Meal Deals, with prices/participation varying and McDelivery excluded; flag as current value-menu regime status, not a metro price input.","source_url":"https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/full-menu/mcvalue-menu.html"}],"qualityNotes":"All 12 metro observations used the pinned MenuPriceTracker pages, each displaying August 2026 app-sourced city-wide averages and fetched on 2026-08-06; no delivery-platform or blocked content-farm data was used. The main reliability limitation is that the pinned pages report metro averages rather than a single in-store receipt and do not display exact day-of-month update dates. Hardest checks were Seattle/New York/Phoenix because their averages sit above the national McValue Under-$3 framing; no credible past-14-day McChicken reformulation or portion-size wave was found.","outcome":{"status":"published","mciMinutes":5.3,"panelPriceUsd":2.85},"usage":{"inputTokens":111828,"outputTokens":8670}}