McDonald’s Reveals $5 Meal Deal Nationwide—Here’s What’s Inside

Consumers craving a midnight McFlurry are in luck this summer. McDonald’s announced it will extend operating hours to midnight or later at most U.S. restaurants beginning in June, a move paired with one of the chain’s largest hiring waves ever—up to 375,000 new crew members nationwide. Why the push for longer days? Executives say late-night demand keeps climbing as post-pandemic nightlife rebounds. “Our fans know there’s no better way to end an unforgettable night than by feasting on your favorite McDonald’s order,” the company told USA Today. Signature items like Big Macs, McNuggets and the new McCrispy Strips will headline the late-night menu, though individual franchisees can tweak offerings to match local tastes. SEO KEYWORD SPOTLIGHT • McDonald’s extended hours • McDonald’s late-night menu • Summer 2025 McDonald’s jobs • McDonald’s McCrispy Strips promotion Late-Night Perks and Promotions To hype the rollout, McDonald’s is dropping 1,000 digital gift cards for free McCrispy Strips on Instagram. Fans who tag @GoFooji and post #DipforMcCrispyStripsGiveaway on their Stories this Saturday enter to win. Street teams will also hand out merchandise and coupons at major concerts in Los Angeles, New York and Detroit—prime markets for late-night traffic. Big Hiring Surge Signals Growth The extended hours require added manpower; that’s where the 375,000-employee hiring blitz comes in. Applicants can expect flexible scheduling, an important perk for students and gig-economy workers looking to stack income during peak travel season. The company’s “Accelerating the Arches” plan also calls for 900 new U.S. restaurants by 2027, positioning McDonald’s to capture after-dark diners for years to come. What Happens to CosMc’s? While restaurants stay open later, McDonald’s is shuttering CosMc’s, its experimental beverage micro-chain launched in 2023. The five standalone cafés will close starting in late June, but the most popular drinks will migrate to regular McDonald’s menus at “hundreds” of stores. Analysts view the shift as a cost-effective way to chase Starbucks-style margins without supporting a separate brand footprint. Franchisee Perspective Operating past midnight is optional for locations in malls, airports or municipalities with curfews, yet many franchisees welcome the sales bump. Late-night orders typically skew toward high-margin items, and expanded hours let operators spread fixed labor costs across a longer day. Still, franchise owners in high-wage states like California will weigh profitability against labor costs after the recent $20 fast-food minimum wage. What It Means for Customers • More convenience: fries and shakes available after the bars close. • New flavors: expect CosMc’s-inspired cold brews and fruity slushes alongside classics. • Faster service: added staff should reduce drive-thru wait times during the 10 p.m.–1 a.m. rush. Bottom Line McDonald’s extended hours strategy targets two growth levers at once—higher late-night sales and a bigger employee base to power future expansion. With CosMc’s drinks joining the main menu and McCrispy Strips taking center stage, America’s largest burger chain is betting that midnight munchies and TikTok buzz will make Summer 2025 one for the record books.