A McDonald’s burger that rings up at more than fifteen dollars? Yes, and you can only order it in one very particular corner of the planet. When McDonald’s pops into your head, you probably picture food that is lightning-fast, no-frills, and, above all, cheap. The brand’s whole reputation rests on bargain basics: a plain cheeseburger, maybe a small fries, or the classic Big Mac combo, all priced so low that most wallets barely notice. For countless diners across the globe, “McDonald’s” is shorthand for an easy meal that doesn’t hurt the bank account.
This story, though, flips that idea on its head. Somewhere out there, a single McDonald’s location lists a sandwich at $15.70. It is not a fancy chef collaboration, not a limited-run promotional stunt, and not a secret-menu hack. It sits right on the official board… but only in that specific market.
How high can the tab climb for a burger under the golden arches?
Yes, the chain is famous for low-cost fare, yet anyone who travels knows the price stickers change wildly once you cross a border. Inside the United States, even the big splurge — the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese — rarely noses past nine dollars after tax, and the average Big Mac hovers near $5.35. Slide into another country, though, and the math shifts for a handful of perfectly normal reasons:
- local tax structures
- import fees tied to meat, dairy, and produce
- the overall cost of living in that nation
- and, plain and simple, whatever customers there are willing to hand over
Shuffle those factors together and the exact same sandwich can double in cost — or climb even higher — without anything else about it changing.
Switzerland: already pricey, yet still not the top of the mountain
If you follow The Economist Big Mac Index, you already know Switzerland usually occupies the summit. A Big Mac in Zurich or Geneva lands right around eight U.S. dollars, putting it in a league of its own. That would seem expensive enough — until you compare it with the champion we’re chasing.
Because, oddly, the costliest McDonald’s burger on Earth isn’t Swiss. To meet it, you drive roughly 355 kilometres, cross a friendly border, and pull off the highway in France.
France’s splash-out order: the Triple Cheddar & Double Beef
Certain French outlets carry a sandwich called the Triple Cheddar & Double Beef. Its sticker price is 15.70 dollars — or about 14.50 euros at current exchange — making it the single priciest standard-menu item in any McDonald’s worldwide.
What justifies that figure? The build goes like this:
- two thick, seared beef patties
- three separate layers of mellow cheddar
- a handful of crispy fried onions
- the usual pickles
- a swipe of ketchup
- a dab of tangy mustard
Extra meat plus extra cheese equals extra coins — marketed to eaters hunting for a “gourmet” upgrade without leaving the fast-food universe.
Is it worth dropping that much on a drive-thru treat?
Huge portion, bold flavours, premium-leaning ingredients — sure, the burger delivers on spectacle. Still, a lot of travellers tilt their heads and wonder whether fifteen bucks at McDonald’s makes sense when they are literally surrounded by France’s legendary cuisine. In a nation celebrated for buttery croissants, delicate pastries, and multi-course bistro lunches, choosing a chain burger — even one with triple cheese — can feel, well, a little out of step.
The question isn’t just about price, but about experience. This French McDonald’s burger stands out, even in a land of buttery sauces and flaky pastries. Not for being the best, but for being the boldest in its category. Are you one of those people who would go to a McDonald’s abroad?