Which Fast-Food Restaurants Still Offer Fast-Food Prices?

The days of the 15-cent burger are long gone, and that's understandable considering inflation. However, some fast-food prices have gotten out of hand. These quick meal spots shouldn't be major indulgences. We understand paying s little extra for better quality, but you should be able to feed your family in a pinch at a drive-thru on the cheap. While some places like In-N-Out and Taco Bell have kept their integrity, others have raised their prices astronomically to the point where it hardly makes sense to eat there. To help you avoid a shocking bill, here are 10 fast-food restaurants that became far too expensive and 10 that managed to continue offering good value.

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1. Shake Shack

Shake Shack is commonly seen as one of the most expensive fast-food restaurants you can find. The price doesn't come without quality, though, so if you're looking for a better fast-food experience, it's worth the extra cost.

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2. Chipotle

Chipotle prides itself on offering healthier dishes using high-quality ingredients, and while it's still cheaper than most sit-down restaurants, it's pricier than other fast-food joints. You can easily spend $15 on a single meal here.

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3. Five Guys

People love Five Guys for their massivehigh-qualityty burgers and fries, but the price tag is high enough to fend some people off.

While it may be a better quality fast-food experience, it's priced significantly higher than other fast-food chains.

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4. McDonald's

If you've gone to McDonald's lately and been shocked at the bill, you aren't the only one. The fast-food giant has raised its prices by 40 percent on average since 2019, taking away much of the appeal of eating here. 

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5. Wendy's

While Wendy's offers a value menu, its regular menu items tend to be higher than its competitors for roughly the same meal. What's more, its prices have increased nearly 20 percent since 2022.

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6. Popeyes

Popeyes is largely considered to have the best fried chicken out of any fast-food chain, but it comes at a price. Some of their menu items have increased in price by a whopping 70 percent over the past ten years.

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7. Subway

Remember Subway's $5foot-longg advertising campaign? Well, no longer. Now you can easily spend $10 to $15 on a simple sandwich without any sides.

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8. Arby's 

Arby's is perceived as having higher quality, unique offerings for a fast-food restaurant, but at a much higher price point. For example, the half-pound beef and cheddar sandwich comes in at over $9.

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9. Carl's Jr.

For the price of a meal at Carl's Jr., you might as well go to a casual sit-down restaurant. That being said, the food here is always high-quality and well portioned.

The chain also offers value menus and family bundles to help curb costs. 

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10. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A prices are generally a lot higher than its competitors, especially when considering the simple menu. The chain does, however, pay its employees better than other fast-food restaurants and generally uses higher-quality ingredients. 

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Now that we've talked about the fast-food chains that have gotten astronomically expensive, let's talk about where you can still find good value.

1. Taco Bell

At Taco Bell, you can still eat for $3, which, in this economy, is really saying something. The Cravings Value Menu and Luxe Cravings Boxes offer frequently rotated signature items for discounted prices.

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2. Burger King

Burger King is still your best bet for a cheap burger, though the quality may not match that of Five Guys or Carl's Jr. Their "$5 Duo" or "$7 Trio" deals offer excellent bang for your buck. 

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3. KFC

Craving fried chicken but don't want to fork out all the dough required for a Popeyes or Chick-fil-A meal? KFC offers a cheaper alternative, especially with their $5 boxes, which include chicken tenders, fries, and sauces. 

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4. Sonic

People go to Sonic for the retro vibes, but they stay for the happy hour deals. The chain offers frequent promotions and a $1.99 value menu, which allows you to mix and match to get a complete meal for a competitive price.

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5. Del Taco

Del Taco is one of the best value Mexican restaurants in the US, if not the best. They offer an extensive value menu with items like tacos and burritos for anywhere from $1 to $3. 

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6. Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen doesn't just do ice cream. It has $7 meal deals consisting of a main, fries, and a drink. It also offers two for $5 on burgers, allowing you to feed your whole family on the cheap.

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7. In-N-Out Burger

The most beloved fast-food chain in the Western US also happens to be one of the cheapest. Their simple, limited menu allows them to keep their prices low and their quality high.

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8. Domino's 

Domino's stands out compared to its competitors because of its competitive walk-out specials like $7.99 for a large 3-topping pizza, making family pizza night highly affordable. They also offer free pizza after a certain number of online orders. 

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9. Little Caesars

The only pizza chain that consistently competes with Domino's for the best value is Little Caesars. Pizzas here are quick and affordable, and the chain often offers discounts on rotating menu items. 

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10. Zaxbys

Consider yourself lucky if you happen to live in the Southeast, where this regional chain, famous for its fried chicken fingers and wings, exists. They offer frequent promotions targeted towards large groups.

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