The World's Most Expensive McDonald's: A £40 Lunch for Two in Switzerland
McDonald's is widely regarded as an affordable dining option in the United Kingdom, with items on the Saver Menu starting from just £1.19. Despite recent price increases, it remains a budget-friendly choice for families. However, one location defies this expectation, stunning visitors with its exorbitant costs.
Where Is This Pricey McDonald's Located?
The branch in question is situated in Zermatt, a picturesque village and ski resort in the Swiss Alps, often called the gateway to the Matterhorn. This McDonald's is housed in a charming Alpine chalet-style building, featuring wooden interiors that create a cosy log cabin atmosphere.
What Makes the Menu Unique?
While many menu items are familiar, the Swiss location offers exclusive products not available in the UK. These include:
- The M burger, made with two Swiss beef patties, melted cheese, lettuce, and crispy onions.
- Chicken wings and pepper potatoes.
- A chicken paprika burger and the Big Tasty.
- Desserts like a Nutella Sundae, Swiss Chocolate Pie, and McPops.
- A gluten-free menu for dietary needs.
How Do the Prices Compare?
Social media users frequently label Zermatt's McDonald's as the world's most expensive, though verifying this is challenging due to over 44,000 global locations and fluctuating prices. However, comparisons with UK prices reveal significant disparities:
- A Big Mac costs 7.20 CHF (£6.80) in Switzerland versus £5.11 in the UK.
- A sharebox of 20 McNuggets is 18.80 CHF (£17.74) in Switzerland, nearly £9 more than the UK price of £8.79.
- Fizzy drinks are almost double the UK price, and fries can reach 6.40 CHF (£6), compared to £2.59 for large fries in the UK.
Real-Life Examples of High Costs
Recent visitors have shared their experiences on social media, highlighting the steep prices. Abbey Sadleir posted a TikTok video showing a receipt totalling 53 CHF for two meals, an extra veggie burger, and dessert. Similarly, Cameron Guzzo spent $54 (just under £40) on two meals, including a Friends meal with a Royal Bacon Cheeseburger and The M burger.
Guzzo remarked, 'It's decent, but it's still just McDonald's, definitely not worth $54.' Another visitor, @danielleoutdoors_, noted that while the Big Mac meal alone exceeded $16 (£11), spending $50 (£36.86) for two people was surprising, yet this McDonald's remains one of Zermatt's more affordable dining options.
Context and Broader Trends
This news follows the opening of the world's largest McDonald's near Disneyland Paris, a 2,000-square-metre ultramodern building costing over €20 million. That location features seating for 600, 23 self-service kiosks, and a three-story indoor play area, contrasting sharply with Zermatt's high-priced, quaint setting.
McDonald's Switzerland has been contacted for comment on their pricing strategy, but no response has been provided yet. The debate continues over whether this branch truly holds the title of the most expensive, but its costs undeniably stand out in the fast-food industry.
