Off the Menu: Restaurant chains set sights on value this summer [Video]

It looks like this summer’s theme in the restaurant business is going to be “value,” with a number of major players in the fast food and casual dining spaces once again emphasizing the “bang for the buck” their menu supposedly delivers.

Quick service giant McDonald’s Corp. is planning a four-week $5 Value Meal deal this summer with a planned June 25 start date. According to published reports, the meal package will feature either a McChicken or a McDouble and include small-sized McNuggets, soft drink, and fries. In order to protect franchisee profit margins, McDonald’s has prevailed upon its beverage supplier, Coca-Cola, to kick in a $4 million-plus subsidy in support the promotion.

Burger King has also announced a meal deal at the $5 price point. The chain is bringing back its $5 Your Way Meal, which will include soft drink, fries, and chicken nuggets as well as one of three …