JOURNAL
One entry per survey run: what the panel returned, whether prices or paychecks moved the index, and any holds, gaps, or regime events. Every figure is drawn from that run's published data.
McChicken Index Holds at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-23 run published with a McChicken Index reading of 5.3 minutes, based on a $2.85 median panel price, $32.38 hourly wage input, and verified 139.46 gram portion. The full quorum was met with 12 verified observations and no carried observations. Versus 2026-07-20, the index was unchanged: price contributed 0%, portion 0%, and wage 0% in log-difference terms. McDonald’s U.S. McValue page context and unverified local reports were noted but not used to override metro prices.
vs. 2026-07-20: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
McChicken Index Holds at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-20 run published at 5.3 minutes, with a verified quorum of 12 stores and no carried observations. The median panel price was $2.85, the wage input was $32.38 per hour, and the verified portion remained 139.46 grams. Versus 2026-07-16, the decomposition was flat: MCI 0% = price 0% − portion 0% − wage 0%.
vs. 2026-07-16: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
McChicken Index Holds at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-16 run published at 5.3 minutes per standard McChicken, with a verified quorum of 12 of 12 and no carried observations. The median panel price was $2.85, wages were $32.38 per hour, and the verified portion remained 139.46 grams. Versus 2026-07-13, the decomposition shows no movement: MCI 0% = price 0% − portion 0% − wage 0%.
vs. 2026-07-13: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
McChicken Index Holds at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-13 run published at 5.3 minutes, with a panel median price of $2.85, wage input of $32.38 per hour, and verified portion of 139.46 grams. The decomposition versus 2026-07-09 shows no movement: MCI 0% = price 0% − portion 0% − wage 0%. Quorum was complete at 12 verified of 12, with no carried observations; the prior anecdotal local price-cut reports remained flagged for review and were not applied to the index.
vs. 2026-07-09: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
Index Unchanged With Full Quorum
The 2026-07-09 run published at 5.3 minutes per standard McChicken, with a median panel price of $2.85, AHETPI wage of $32.38 per hour, and spec-verified portion of 139.46 grams. Quorum was complete at 12 verified and 0 carried of 12. Versus 2026-07-06, the index was unchanged: price 0%, portion 0%, and wage 0% in log-difference terms. McDonald’s listed the FIFA Rivals Trophy Bundle promotion window as June 30 through July 19, 2026, but this limited-time national bundle/rewards promotion was not used for the index.
vs. 2026-07-06: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
McChicken Index Holds at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-06 run published with full quorum: 12 verified and 0 carried of 12. The McChicken Index was 5.3 minutes, based on a $2.85 median panel price, a $32.38 hourly wage from AHETPI 2026-06, and a verified 139.46 gram portion. Versus 2026-07-02, the decomposition was unchanged: MCI 0% = price 0% − portion 0% − wage 0%.
vs. 2026-07-02: MCI 0.00% · price 0.00% · portion 0.00% · wage 0.00%
McChicken Index Published at 5.3 Minutes
The 2026-07-02 run published with full quorum at 12 verified quotes and no carried observations. The McChicken Index stood at 5.3 minutes, based on a $2.85 panel median price, a $32.38 hourly wage measure, and a verified 139.46 gram portion. The decomposition points to prices, wages, and portion all reflecting the stated inputs, with no regime adjustment from the Reddit-reported value-menu-label inconsistency.
REGIME WATCH
Menu-regime events reported by the survey instrument with citations. Flagged for review — never used to change the index directly.
Current McDonald's U.S. McValue page lists McChicken under the Under $3 Menu and The McChicken Meal Deal under $5 Meal Deals; prices and participation vary and McDelivery is excluded. Used only as value-menu context, not to override metro prices.
Official McDonald's McValue page observed during survey lists McChicken under the Under $3 Lunch & Dinner Menu and lists The McChicken Meal Deal under $5 Lunch & Dinner Meal Deals; prices and participation may vary and exclude McDelivery.
McDonald's USA Menu Spotter announced Caesar Sauce chicken LTOs available July 21, including a Caesar Snack Wrap nationally at $2.99, and said McCrispy Strips now have panko-coating breading; no McChicken recipe or size change stated.
McDonald's USA Menu Spotter announced Caesar Sauce chicken LTOs available July 21, including a nationally advertised $2.99 Caesar Snack Wrap; announcement also says McCrispy Strips now have new panko-coating breading. No McChicken reformulation or size change was indicated.
A separate McDonaldsEmployees Reddit post reported a store-level 50% McChicken price cut, corroborating possible broad McChicken discounting; anecdotal only and flagged for review.
Anecdotal U.S. Reddit wave: multiple users reported local McChicken menu prices falling to about $2.00, $1.50, or $1.49; unconfirmed local pricing signal, flagged for review and not applied to index.
Anecdotal U.S. employee report: one store reported a 50% McChicken price cut; unconfirmed local/store-level regime signal, flagged for review and not applied to index.
Anecdotal U.S. Reddit wave reported standalone McChicken prices dropping to about $1.50-$2.00 at multiple locations, with commenters speculating it was a limited-time or national promo; unverified and not used to alter panel prices.
Anecdotal Reddit wave: customers reported McChicken sandwiches lowered to $2 at several local McDonald's locations; flagged for review only and not used in panel observations.
Anecdotal employee report described a roughly 50% store-level McChicken price cut; flagged for review only and not used in panel observations.
Anecdotal Reddit reports described McChicken price reductions to $2 at several local stores; unverified local wave flagged for review and not used to change metro observations.
McDonald's official What's Hot page lists the FIFA Rivals Trophy Bundle promotion window as June 30, 2026 through July 19, 2026; limited-time national bundle/rewards promotion, not used for the McChicken index.
High-engagement Reddit thread flagged McValue 'Under $3' items appearing above $3 in the app at some locations; anecdotal value-menu-label inconsistency only, not a corporate launch/withdrawal and not used to alter metro prices.