Markets 
The San Antonio-based chain Whataburger, beloved by fans for its five-inch toasted buns and fresh, never-frozen beef patties, has served customers a new one-upper in its recent efforts to compete with larger fast food chains — a $4 value meal menu, aptly coined “More for $4.”
The high-value, low-cost selections on the freshly released menu include the Bacon & Cheese Whataburger Jr., the Whataburger Patty Melt Jr., the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr. and Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr — all “junior” takes on some of the chain’s iconic classics.
Particularly hungry guests can upgrade these selections to a full meal with small fries and a drink by shelling out an extra $3, bringing the dining experience to $7 before tax.
The Texas chain, which was founded in 1950 and has over 12,000 restaurants spanning 17 states, also offers Jr. Whatameals and simplified its lineup alongside the launch, with all All-Time Favorite and limited edition Jr. Whatameals including a small fry and drink.
“We know our guests are looking for more ways to enjoy the Whataburger favorites they love at a price that fits their everyday lives,” Jessica Reicher, Whataburger’s Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement posted on the chain’s website, which notes that exact price and participation vary by location. “More for $4 gives them exactly that — more choice, more big flavor, and the made-to-order quality they expect from us, all for only $4.”
Whataburger’s “More for $4” items, which cost just shy of a Lincoln, come at a time when megachains like McDonalds and Burger King — who have their own value menus and had their own internal war earlier this year with dueling releases of the Big Arch Burger and an upgraded Whopper, with The Post determining the new Whopper to reign supreme — are duking it with the rest of the fast food landscape to entice customers increasingly intent on paying less.
But, per the National Restaurant Association, industry prices continue to rise. As reported in the Daily Mail, restaurant menu prices were up year over year by 3.4 percent in June, with prices at limited-service restaurants rising by 3.1 percent.
Whataburger customers seem generally satisfied with the chain’s new low-cost options.
“As you can see, the portions are huge,” said content creator Emma Ezzell when trying the various bites, in a video posted on her Facebook page with 61.1K followers, titled Kansas City Places.
“One of my all-time favorites is the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.,” she added. “Super saucy and delicious.”
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