April 2 (Reuters) – McDonald’s said on Thursday it was introducing menu items priced at $3 or less and offering a $4 breakfast meal deal in the U.S., as restaurants aim to attract price-conscious diners worn down by economic uncertainties.

Here are some key details:

* The burger giant said at least 10 menu items would beavailable throughout the day, and it would spotlight selectunder-$3 items at even lower prices for a limited time, startingwith the Sausage McMuffin at $1.50 and the McDouble at $2.50. * Besides the new $4 breakfast meal, the company alsointroduced lunch and dinner deals priced between $5 and $6. * CEO Chris Kempczinski in February said there was growingevidence that the Chicago-based company’s value strategy wasworking, with gains in visits from low-income customers. * The company last year began subsidizing franchisees'”extra value” meals as costs of some commodities, such as beef,remained high, but Kempczinski had said the company would notsubsidize pricing permanently. * McDonald’s launched its $5 meal in June 2024 as alimited-time offer, but extended it later. It also offered a 15%discount on combo meals and introduced $5 and $8 specials lastyear. * The Wall Street Journal had first reported the menu introductions last month. * Rivals including Burger King are also intensifying effortswith more economical menu options.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)