The 7 Most Affordable Fast Food Chains in 2024
We’ve all felt the effects of inflation in recent years, but the fast food industry in particular has seen unprecedented price increases. From McDonald’s Big Mac to Subway’s 12-inch sandwiches, many popular dishes are more expensive than ever. FinanceBuzz According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fast food menu prices have increased by an average of 60% since 2014. Meanwhile, the national inflation rate during that period was just 31%.
In other words, fast food prices have been rising at a rate nearly twice the national inflation rate. Take McDonald’s, for example: The undisputed king of fast food has seen its menu prices increase 100 percent over the past decade, according to data from the Fast Food Institute of America. FinanceBuzz. Specifically, the financial site’s analysis found that a McDouble costs 168% more today than it did in 2014, while a quarter-pounder with cheese costs 122% more. (McDonald’s has downplayed “viral reports” about its prices, dismissing the numbers as exaggerated.)
The Golden Arches is far from the only fast-food chain that has raised its prices recently. The average cost of a meal at Wendy’s has increased 31% in the last two years alone, according to a report from financial site MoneyGeek. Meanwhile, Popeyes’ menu is 86% more expensive than it was a decade ago, according to the same study. In other words, you’d be hard-pressed to find a major fast-food brand that’s offering higher prices. doesn’t has increased its prices recently.
The reality of sky-high fast food prices is unavoidable for hungry customers looking for affordable food served quickly. The fast food industry was once a great help to countless people looking to grab something quick for dinner or save a few bucks on lunch when the budget was tight.
Those days seem long gone, with exasperated consumers regularly complaining about rising prices on social media. “Fast food has become way too expensive for what it offers,” one Reddit user recently wrote. “If prices keep going up, we might as well make healthy food choices,” added one frustrated Redditor.
But while it may seem like there’s no such thing as a cheap breakfast, lunch, or dinner option anymore, it’s possible to find great deals at fast food restaurants these days. You just have to know where to look. “You have to play around with the apps to get great prices,” one user explained in a recent Reddit thread titled “Are there any cheap fast food options in the US?” Another commenter insisted, “Definitely use fast food apps and use deals and coupons to get big discounts.”
Mobile apps are certainly a viable “trick” when it comes to fast food pricing, but believe it or not, it’s still entirely possible to find a satisfying quick meal without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at seven of the most affordable fast food chains in 2024.
Jack in the box
West Coast institution Jack in the Box has launched a brand new value menu this year. Announced in May, Jack’s Munchies Under $4 menu offers diners a litany of affordable lunchtime options. From French toast sticks and tacos to junior cheeseburgers and the all-new sourdough grilled cheese sandwich, Jack in the Box’s new value menu has something for everyone, and every item is available for under $4. Beyond the new value menu, Jack in the Box is also offering one of the best deals in all of fast food: two tacos are just $0.99 at many locations.
Burger King
Long ranked second in the industry’s best restaurants, Burger King has done a remarkably better job of keeping its prices stable. While BK’s menu prices have still increased 55% since 2014, according to FinanceBuzzThis figure looks much better than Mickey D’s 100% statistic over the same period.
Plus, the home of the Whopper has launched one of the best deals of summer 2024. The $5 Any-You-Want-To-Eat meal includes a bacon cheeseburger, Whopper Jr. or Chicken Jr., plus four chicken nuggets, a small order of fries, and a drink. That’s a lot of food for just $5. The best part? The savings will extend into the fall. The chain just revealed last week that it’s extending the $5 meal through October.
Tacos
Del Taco, another top West Coast fast-food chain, launched a new value menu last month featuring 15 items priced at $2 or less each. Del’s Real Deal$ menu includes an eclectic mix of mouthwatering options like fresh house-made chips and guacamole, crispy chicken tacos (served with ranch, chipotle or habanero sauce), a bean and cheese burrito (served with red or green sauce) and 3-layer cheese nachos.
Taco Bell
Speaking of tacos, Taco Bell reigns supreme when it comes to fast-food Mexican-inspired cuisine. Not to be outdone by the competition, Taco Bell updated its own value menu earlier this year, which now features 10 hearty dishes all priced at $3 or less. The Cravings Value Menu includes a cheese, bean, and rice burrito for just $1.19, as well as a chicken enchilada burrito for $2.49. The loaded beef nachos are the most expensive item on the value menu at just $2.99.
White Castle
Time travel may still be a fiction, but White Castle is literally going back to the present when it comes to its menu prices. The iconic burger chain just announced that, for a limited time, customers can buy 10 cheeseburgers for just $7.99. (Prices are higher in New York, New Jersey, and Arizona, at $8.99.) At less than 80 cents per burger, that’s an incredible deal in 2024. White Castle’s classic burgers haven’t been this cheap since 2011!
Krystal
Another fast food chain synonymous with small, square burgers, Krystal continues to be an affordable fast food option thanks to the brand’s wide variety of deals and promotions throughout the summer. The $4.99 Krystal Meal Deal includes two sliders, a small fry, and a drink. Looking to feed the whole family? The Krystal Family Meal Deal is available for just $15.99 and includes four sliders, four hot dogs, and four additional choices of small fries or a small drink. Throughout the summer, each day of the week also features a different deal. For example, on Wednesdays, customers can get a free medium upgrade with the purchase of a breakfast combo, while on Fridays, customers get free chili cheese fries with select purchases.
Sonic
Known for its drive-thru food service, Sonic launched an ambitious, permanent offering last month: the “Fun.99” menu. Hungry customers can choose from 12 different milkshake flavors, a quarter-pound double cheeseburger, tater tots, a Chili Cheese Coney and two varieties of a new Queso Wrap. Incredibly, each of these menu items is available for just $1.99!
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