Cheeseburger Overdone

Only when the subject is McDonald's would a price hike on a cheeseburger attract major national news coverage.

Next week, the chain will move its double cheeseburger off its Dollar Menu, raising the price suggested to franchisees to $1.19.

There will still be a double cheeseburger on the Dollar Menu: the McDouble, which will sport just one slice of cheese rather than two, saving the chain about six cents per sandwich.

"For McDonald's," the Wall Street Journal reports, "the change will help franchisees cover their costs while still offering customers an inexpensive burger at a time when low-priced food is particularly critical to its menu."

Sales are on the rise at McDonald's thanks largely to its Dollar Menu, which attracts bargain-seeking consumers. But the chain's costs, particularly of beef and cheese, have also been rising.

The price hike has been reported by newspapers, magazines, Web sites and television networks across the country and around the world.