McDonald's said on Monday it would introduce new menus with $1, $2 and $3 items in early January as restaurants battle to win U.S. customers who have come to expect deals on fast food.

McDonald's dropped its popular "Dollar Menu" in 2013 after franchisees groused that selling items like a double cheeseburger for $1 cut into profits.

They will supplement McDonald's current value offers such as McPick 2 where customers can pick two items from a list for $5 — including Big Macs, fish filets and 10-piece chicken nuggets.

McDonald's recent U.S. recovery has been driven largely by its value offers, said Bob Goldin, partner and co-founder of food industry strategy firm Pentallect Inc.

"They are really killing it with dollar beverages and the McPick 2," said Goldin, who added that value remains a key driver of traffic to fast-food restaurants —even as the economy improves and diners have more disposable income.