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Fast food “value” meals may no longer be delivering on that promise.
Walk or drive up to any fast food joint these days and you’ll likely be shocked by the menu prices. Places that once thrived on value have fallen off the affordability train, taking customers’ money along the way.
Since 2024, the price of fast food has outpaced tthe inflation rate, as the cost of eating out increased 3.6 percent in 2024 while the inflation rate increased by 2.7 percent.
The reason behind the higher prices? Supply chain disruptions, rising rent, and energy and transportation costs. But consumers don’t really care about all that — they’re just pissed their Big Mac meal is no longer cheap.
Angry eaters flooded a recent Reddit post reminiscing about the better days when prices were much lower.
“It’s the combination of rising prices AND falling quality that has dissuaded me from eating. Nothing pisses me off more than getting slop with attitude,” one user commented.
“Stopped getting fast food as much and instead get takeout from mid-priced restaurants since the cost is about the same, but the food is better,” another wrote.
They’re not wrong — Chili’s recently introduced the “3 for Me” meal, where diners can get an appetizer, a full entrée, fries and a bottomless drink for about $10.99.
Meanwhile, fast food spots, especially in NYC, have items on their menus as high as $17, like the large tender meal from McDonald’s for $16.99. Or the avocado bacon burger from Shake Shack for $15.99, which doesn’t even include fries and a soda.
The Post rounded up some of the most expensive fast food meals.
But first, a few caveats. Prices may vary from state to state.
Also, many of the chains run on a franchisee model. This is where a parent company, the franchisor, licenses its brand, trademarks and more to an independent operator — the franchisee.
After a large sum of cash and some royalties, the franchisee will then take on some of the responsibilities and financial obligations. And many times, they are able to set their own prices, so costs could also differ based on ownership.
Five Guys – $23
The beloved company does not yet offer a combo or bundle at all its locations, but is testing them at select spots. This means those who want the American classic — burger, fries and a soda — will have to fork over for all three separately.
The standard cheeseburger is $12.55, while regular-sized fries are $7.15 and a regular drink is $3.45. This brings the total to $23.15. To save a few bucks, customers can order their small-sized cheeseburger for $10.39.
In an X post, a Five Guys customer shared a picture of the cashier and asked, “I’m at Five Guys with $10 wtf would it buy me ????” The post was then filled with folks joking that that would get them nothing.
One wrote, “3 loose French fries, a couple of napkins and some of them free peanuts.”
Another commented, “A small water.”
“Peanut shells off the floor,” a third joked.
Shake Shack – $21.99
Similar to Five Guys, Shake Shack does not offer combo meals at most locations. A bacon cheeseburger is priced at $15.99, fries are $4 and a soda is $2, bringing the total to $21.99.
A single ShackBurger is $7.99, and with the fries and a soda, that’s $13.99 a pop — and that’s just for their small portion. There are double and triple burgers for the hungry eaters, if they are willing to pay.
New Yorkers may be used to paying those prices, but as the chain expands beyond the Big Apple, folks are stunned.
One unhappy customer wrote on X, “If you want to spend $40 on oversalted burgers with awful veggies and tasteless fries and leave hungry can I interest you in @shakeshack in Gainesville, VA? Feeling robbed.”
Another wrote, “I feel like shake shack is disproportionately expensive for what it is.”
Burger King – $20
For $14, diners can get a large Bacon and Swiss Royal Crispy Chicken Meal with fries and a soda.
That’s not the only expensive item on the menu, as the chain’s Impossible Loaded Jalapeño Whopper Meal is $15.39 for the large size. And the burger is meat-free, which is pretty pricey for some plants.
Another customer posted a screenshot at an undisclosed location where the Bacon King meal was nearly $20.
“We are living in the apocalypse when a Burger King meal is $20,” they wrote.
Burger King recently caused an online stir as one location advertised a meal for $16. The video on X showed a drive-thru menu where the Texas Double Whopper meal was priced at $15.99.
Underneath the meal, the chain advertised the sandwich’s price only — a whopping $10.79. The burger features two patties, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and some sauce.
“At some point, fast food forgot why people went there in the first place,” the post commented.
McDonald’s – $16
Next up is McDonald’s. The chain’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe Meal comes out to $12.39, which includes the burger, fries and soda.
However, for a more substantial meal like a Big Mac, get ready to pay up at $13.09 or $16 for a chicken strips meal.
Those wanting a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese meal will be forced to cough up $15.09 for the large size. But not all customers mind paying that hefty price tag.
In a Reddit post discussing the mega chain, a user wrote, “Am I the only one or at least one of the few that thinks McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is the best fast food burger?”
He wasn’t alone, as fans flooded the post with generally positive comments on the menu and its prices.
“I also agree that McDonald’s is generally the best of most of the regular menu items over most of the comparable menu items of the other national budget places,” another added.
A third said, “Just had this conversation today with someone else. I think the quarter-pounder is the BEST fast food burger.”
Jack-in-the-Box – $14
Once known for cheap eats, Jack-in-the-Box has recently shocked customers with its sky-high prices. Its popular Bacon Double Smashed Jack Combo will set you back $14.49, which thankfully includes fries and a soda.
The Buttery Smashed Jack Combo is priced at a hefty $12.89 for a large, while the classic Sourdough Jack has recently topped $12.09.
In a Reddit thread appropriately titled “Jack in the Box Prices Out of Control,” diners reminisced about a time when costs — and quality — were much different. For example, the poster claimed the Munchie Meal, its late-night, “value-priced” combo, started at $5 but has since climbed to $12.
“The quality also keeps dropping, there used to be chicken and tater munchie meal for $8, but that no longer exists. There also used to be 2 breakfast jacks for $3 but that is also gone. There used to be all day meal for $5 but that is gone. Even 2 jumbo jacks for $5 is gone.”
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