How much prices have increased at 4 fast food chains since 2014

As with everything else, the cost of food has increased and eating out has become so expensive that people now consider fast food a luxury. Consumers are choking on the soaring prices, and according to a recent study by LendingTree, “3 in 4 Americans typically eat fast food at least once a week, but the majority (62%) say they are eating less of it because of rising prices.” Additionally, 65% of Americans have been “shocked by the high price of a fast food bill in the past six months,” and they’re not wrong. With prices skyrocketing, fast food is no longer a luxury for your wallet.

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Before you head out to eat a so-called “budget” meal, here’s a list of the chains that have increased their prices the most.

McDonalds

While many fast food restaurants have increased their prices, McDonald’s tops the list for the biggest increase. Over the past decade, their prices have more than doubled, according to FinanceBuzz.

“One menu item that illustrates how much things have changed is the McChicken® sandwich,” the site says. “It was a staple of the chain’s $1 menu in 2014, but it now costs $3 at select locations. That’s a massive price increase of nearly 200 percent in just a decade.”

Other notable price increases include:

• A McDouble sandwich cost $1.19 in 2014 and now costs $3.14, a 168% increase.

• In 2014, a medium fries cost $1.59 and today they cost $3.79, which is a 138% increase.

• Ten years ago, a quarter pound of cheese cost $5.39. Today, the same combo will cost you $11.99, a 122% increase.

McDonald’s prices have increased so much that the chain went viral for serving an $18 Big Mac combo that received so much negative attention online that the president of McDonald’s USA wrote an open letter about it.

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Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Known for its chicken and biscuits and Louisiana-inspired home cooking, the fast food chain is a popular place to get authentic, flavorful cuisine, but its prices have increased 86% since 2014, according to FinanceBuzz.

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Taco Bell

The story continues

Taco Bell has long been known for its inexpensive Mexican-inspired menu, but many popular items now cost significantly more.

• A Doritos Locos Taco was $1.39 in 2014 and will now cost $2.59 in 2024 (+86%).

• The price of Cheesy Gordita Crunch has doubled from $2.49 in 2014 to $4.99 now.

• The price of a five-layer burrito has gone from $1.59 in 2014 to $3.69 today, a 132% increase.

Chipotle

Chipotle has always been considered one of the healthiest fast food restaurants. While its prices haven’t yet increased as much as McDonald’s or Taco Bell, the chain has significantly increased some of its menu items.

• In 2014, customers could treat themselves to a burrito, bowl or taco for less than $6.75 on average. Today, those same items cost $10.50. Plus, the addition of guacamole has gone from $1.80 to $2.95, a 64% increase today.

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This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Prices Have Risen at 4 Fast Food Chains Since 2014