"After pitching operators on the plan, McDonald's and its U.S. franchisees agreed to keep the cost of eight popular combo meals 15% below the sum of the individual items' prices," the Journal wrote, citing company materials it reviewed.

McDonald’s is slashing its combo meal prices — despite weeks of tussling with restaurant operators who pleaded that rising costs have made it difficult to sustain deals already on the menu. Its US franchisees have agreed to keep the cost of eight popular combos 15% below the sum of the individual items’ prices,