Wendy's joins McDonald's in announcing a new value meal as the fast food wars heat up

• Wendy's is introducing a new $3 breakfast combo meal.
• Diners have been increasingly frustrated with high fast food prices since the pandemic.
• Rival chain McDonald's has also launched a new low-price offering.

Wendy's has launched a new $3 breakfast combo meal, as high fast-food prices have started to push customers away.

Customers can pair a small portion of seasoned potatoes with a choice between two breakfast muffins — a bacon, egg, and cheese English muffin or a sausage, egg, and cheese English muffin, the company said. The deal is on offer for a limited period.

This new lower-price offering comes as customers are increasingly frustrated by rising fast-food prices.

Fast-food prices have stayed high since chains raised their menu prices during the pandemic in response to soaring food and labor costs. This has led some customers to start placing smaller orders, turn to independent restaurants, or just start cooking more at home.

But it seems like the fast-food chains are starting to take note.

Earlier this month, Wendy's CFO, Gunther Plosch, told investors that consumers were "still under pressure" — especially those with lower household incomes. "They are reducing frequency, so visitation is down," he said.

Wendy's isn't the only fast-food chain trying to lure customers with value meals.

McDonald's plans to start offering a $5 deal, where customers can choose between two of the chain's signature burgers — a McChicken or a McDouble — and get four-piece McNuggets, fries, and a drink. But customers aren't happy that the offer will only be available for one month.