Fast Food Frenzy: Are You Paying Too Much?

Stay away from these overpriced fast food chains! 

Let’s be honest: Everybody enjoys stuffing their faces with fast food meals once in a while! There’s a certain magic to it, an undeniable pull that has us lining up at the drive-thru. We have cravings for those perfectly salty fries, that uniquely satisfying burger, or a taco that just hits different, and somehow this type of food is always tastier than what we cook in our kitchen. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a quick and easy solution on a busy day, or a nostalgic treat that reminds us of simpler times. I won’t start with the never-ending story of how unhealthy and full of sodium and additives these foods are, because this article isn’t about that. We all know the score on that front.

Today we will get into the topic of some of those overpriced fast food chains and how much they raised their prices in the last two years, which makes us start ditching going out for dinner. The era of the “value meal” seems to be fading fast, replaced by what many are calling “fast-flation.” What was once a reliably cheap option for a meal is now creeping into the price territory of a casual sit-down restaurant, but without the ambiance or service. If you’re planning to give up fast food to save your wallet, you should definitely start with these overpriced fast food chains that seem to be pushing the limits of what customers are willing to pay.

Taco Bell

If you are a Taco fan, I am sorry to break it to you, but ordering or going for lunch at Taco Bell isn’t a good idea anymore, at least not for your bank account. Being among those overpriced fast food chains, Taco Bell has some skyrocketing prices for the quality of the food they are offering. I am not saying it’s not tasty because that would be a lie, of course, but it’s just me or their tacos and chalupas shrank overnight? This phenomenon, “shrinkflation,” feels particularly rampant here. You’re paying more for what feels like less food, and the already questionable meat-to-lettuce ratio seems to be getting worse.

With US inflation rates on the rise, the Bell has required assistance to stay alive, and it seems customers are footing the entire bill. The cost of their value menu, once a haven for the budget-conscious, has increased significantly. Items that were once a dollar are now pushing two or three. There has been an increase in the value of their famous combo boxes to more than $5, and in many places, they are closer to $10 or more. A simple bean burrito for almost $4? That is unbelievable when you consider the core ingredients. It feels like the “Live Más” slogan now applies more to their profit margins than the customer experience.

Chick-fil-A

Honestly, deep down, I was hoping that this fast food wouldn’t raise its prices that much. Given its reputation for quality and service, one might have hoped it would hold the line. But here we are in 2024 when everything is super expensive, and Chick-fil-A couldn’t stay away from the trend. Certain Chick-fil-A products can be quite expensive, placing them firmly in the premium fast-food category. That works out to $16 for a simple meal of chicken fingers, fries, and a drink in some locations. Say what? For that price, you could be getting table service elsewhere.

Customers do not appear to be discouraged by the increasing pricing, though, and this is the great Chick-fil-A paradox. Any given lunchtime, I’ve witnessed the double or triple drive-thru lanes at my neighborhood Chick-fil-A looped around the block, a testament to their powerful brand loyalty. It seems their legendary customer service and consistent product quality have convinced their fanbase that the higher cost is worth it. They’ve successfully positioned themselves as a step above the rest, and their patrons are willing to pay the premium.

Once in a while, I will still indulge in Chick-fil-A, even if it’s among those overpriced fast food chains. It’s a guilty pleasure, for sure. The politeness of the staff and the reliability of getting a hot, tasty chicken sandwich is a powerful draw, but it has certainly transitioned from a regular option to a “special occasion” fast-food run for my budget.

Long John Silver’s

Do you like fish? And I mean, fast-food fried fish? If so, then you probably go to Long John Silver’s restaurants more often than most. Now, you tell me: Is it worth it? Because from here, the value proposition looks pretty leaky. Same as any other overpriced fast food chain on the list, they also decided to go up with their prices, which means you will end up paying around $20 for a menu, like one of their signature platters. For that price, you get a couple of pieces of fried fish, some shrimp, and a few sad-looking hushpuppies. It’s a hefty price for a meal that often leaves you feeling hungry an hour later.

Of course, it isn’t filling at all, but it makes a hole in the wallet pretty big. The alternative is glaringly obvious and much more satisfying. It might be a better idea to purchase your favorite frozen fish fillets from the grocery store and use an air fryer to cook it at home. You can control the oil, the seasoning, and the portion size, all for a fraction of the cost of a single LJS combo meal. Tastier and less expensive. Hmm, I know what I will choose! In a market with few direct competitors for fast-food seafood, Long John Silver’s seems to be leveraging its position to keep prices high, but it’s a gamble that might drive more people to their own kitchens.

Arby’s

When it comes to Arby’s, it’s not just a matter of recent inflation and how badly they increased the prices. Let’s be real, they have been doing this for over ten years now. Arby’s has always felt like it was in a slightly higher price bracket, even when other chains were still championing their dollar menus. Arby’s makes an effort to provide reasonable prices to get customers to come back, but these often feel like illusions of value. Given that you receive a lot of food for your money and that it’s somewhat less expensive than the $14.50 bacon cheeseburger lunch, their 2-for-6 bargain is appealing at first glance.

However, you have to look closely at what you’re actually getting in those deals. Often, it’s limited to their most basic sandwiches. If you want one of their more premium options, you’re paying a premium price. I have always criticized Arby’s and will do so going forward if they are charging over $15 for a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink. Although their fast-food business is one of the few that serves roast beef sandwiches, is $5 worth of cheap, thinly-sliced, and often lukewarm meat on a bun something that you want? For a similar price, you can often go to a local deli and get a real, substantial roast beef sandwich that puts Arby’s version to shame.

McDonald’s

There is no point in denying that McDonald’s is one of those overpriced fast food chains. The original king of cheap eats has seemingly abdicated its throne. With them, the smaller the sandwich, the more costly it gets, a strange inversion of value. The infamous McDouble or McChicken, once the backbone of the Dollar Menu, now costs close to $3 in many areas. But people still eat from them a lot, so they don’t really care as long as they have customers and the business is flourishing. Their global brand recognition and sheer convenience keep the cars rolling through, regardless of the price on the menu board.

Do you remember that Mickey D’s used to charge about $2 for a Big Mac, and a full combo meal was around $5? Heh… those were the times! Now, if you have a combo meal, the cost will likely be double that amount or higher, with some viral stories showing Big Mac meals costing as much as $18 in certain locations. And the quality—eh, it’s not the same either! The burgers seem slapped together, and getting hot, crispy fries can feel like winning the lottery. The disappearance of the true Dollar Menu and its replacement with the lackluster “1-2-3 Dollar Menu” was the final nail in the coffin for McDonald’s as a budget-friendly icon.

Wendy’s

If you grew up eating Wendy’s, you probably already know that it’s one of the priciest fast-food restaurants, costing more than Burger King and McDonald’s. They’ve long marketed themselves on being a cut above, with their “fresh, never frozen” square patties and higher-quality ingredients. Even if it’s tasty (those French fries, God! And the Frosty is legendary), it’s also consistently been one of the more expensive choices. To give some perspective, Wendy’s offered its lowest burger for $.55 in 1971, while the average cost at other chains was closer to $.30.

It is only going to go higher in the present economy, and recent news suggests it could get even more frustrating. In 2007, the Baconator, for instance, cost $4.29 when it was introduced. These days, it costs almost twice as much, at $7.99, and that’s before you add fries and a drink to make it a combo that easily tops $12. Let’s not forget the recent controversy when they floated the idea of “dynamic pricing,” which sounded a lot like “surge pricing” to consumers. The backlash was swift, but it shows where their mindset is. You better start cooking your hamburgers at home!

Instead of paying at these overpriced fast food chains, why don’t you cook your crispy chicken fingers or juicy burgers right in your kitchen? It’s easier than you think to replicate, and even improve upon, your fast-food favorites. All you need is a high-quality panko for that perfect crunch and an energy-efficient air fryer for a healthier, less greasy result. Pick yours from Amazon’s offer! This air fryer from the Elite Gourmet store might be a good investment at the price of $39.99. While it may seem costly now, think about how much it will pay off in the long run. After saving on just two or three family fast-food trips, it has already paid for itself. 

Subway

It’s incredible how much influence social media has on everything these days. Even on fast food chains! It can expose pricing issues in a way that nothing else can. The sub-chain immediately drew criticism in the media when one of its customers posted a receipt for a $21 sandwich last year. Twenty-one dollars for one footlong! That’s not a typo. The story went viral because it crystallized what so many customers were feeling.

The man complained that the costs “aren’t worth it anymore” on the internet, and a chorus of agreement followed. Customers seem to agree, which is why at-home dining has increased across the country. There was previously a $5-foot-long special at Subway, a jingle and a deal that defined the brand for a generation. The sandwich artists had no choice but to cut off this offer due to economic inflation, and they haven’t yet found a substitute that resonates. Without that signature value deal, customers are forced to confront the high base price of the sandwiches, where adding extras like bacon or guacamole can rapidly inflate the total to an absurd level.

Pizza Hut

I firmly believe that pizza must be an affordable dish! It’s the quintessential food for parties, moving day, and weeknights when you’re too tired to cook. Because, after all, it contains less expensive ingredients than a burger: we’re talking about dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. But this is not the case for Pizza Hut! Being among all the overpriced fast food chains, their skyrocketing prices aren’t worth it. Period! They seem to be operating under the assumption that their brand name alone justifies a significant markup.

A large pepperoni pizza, for instance, costs about $8 at Domino’s during one of their frequent promotions, which is reasonable. At a local pizzeria, you might pay a bit more but get superior quality. On the other hand, you’re looking at far over $10, and often closer to $18 or $20, for a similar pizza at Pizza Hut if it’s not on a specific deal. Their famous Stuffed Crust will cost you even more, adding several dollars for what amounts to a handful of cheese baked into the edge. It’s a classic case of paying for the brand, not the ingredients.

Fuddruckers

Who remembers how great it was before the pandemic? What a time to be alive! But even back then, when most fast food was still a bargain, one place stood out for its high prices. Everywhere was way more affordable to eat except at Fuddruckers. They were ahead of their time in the worst way, and in 2019, the franchise said it had to boost its pricing since labor costs were always rising. While that’s a valid business concern, it felt like they were already at the ceiling. I don’t know about you, but that was the last time I ate at their place.

The Fuddruckers model, where you buy a plain burger and then dress it yourself at their toppings bar, is part of the appeal. However, it also feels like you’re paying them for the privilege of making your own burger. It is worthwhile to consider if a 1/3-pound burger is truly worth $8 or more *by itself*, though. Probably not, as I can get a better, more succulent burger *that comes with fries* at a real local burger restaurant or pub for a few dollars extra. The Fuddruckers value proposition has become increasingly difficult to justify, which may be a factor in the chain’s shrinking footprint across the country.

Five Guys

And we managed to get to the last overpriced fast food chain on our list, but certainly not the least expensive: the one and only “Five Guys.” Customers quickly became tired of Five Guys’ high costs, even though the idea of the burger restaurant initially gained popularity when fast-casual restaurants began to fiercely compete with established fast-food chains. Their promise of a fresh, customizable, high-quality burger was a massive hit at first.

Then people started doing the math. For a standard cheeseburger, fries, and a regular-sized drink, some customers are ready to spend $20. Let’s break that down: the burger itself is often over $10, a regular fries is over $5, and a drink is another $3. The reason they increased the prices? Well, according to them their food is always fresh because they don’t work with frozen products, they use pricey peanut oil for the fries, and the portions are quite sizeable too. That extra scoop of fries they throw in the bag feels less like a generous bonus and more like a psychological trick to make you feel better about paying so much for potatoes. I don’t know what to say! It’s a premium price for a meal you eat out of a paper bag.

Is this a sign that we might be heading towards a healthier world with less fast food, or is it simply a reflection of corporate greed pushing prices to their absolute limit? Are people being priced out of a convenient meal option against their will? It feels like the “fast and cheap” promise of these establishments is broken. What are your thoughts on this situation? Tell me in the comments section below. What’s the most outrageous price you’ve seen for a fast-food meal lately?

…psst! Before leaving, if you’re now committed to saving that hard-earned cash, take a moment to read about how to save money using coupons! It’s a great first step to fighting back against rising prices.