19 Fast-Food Items That Just Don’t Feel Like a Bargain Anymore
Fast food used to be the go-to cheat code for quick, cheap eats. Lately, though, that “value menu” has started to look more like a prank. We’re getting used to seeing burgers with price tags that belong on steakhouse menus and fries that feel like a splurge. Let’s discuss a few fast-food items that have lost their bargain badge!
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal
Credit: flickr
Remember when you could grab this meal and still have enough left for a sundae? Those days are long gone. Back in 2014, it ran about $5.39. Now, it’s $6.99 in some cities. For a burger, fries, and soda, that starts to feel more like a dine-in price.
Popeyes Four-Piece Chicken Dinner
Credit: Reddit
Popeyes has always been the spot for a flavor that punches way above its price. But lately, that price tag’s been punching back. A four-piece chicken dinner that once cost $7 goes for around $13.79—a leap that’s hard to ignore. It’s still tasty, no doubt, but the “bargain bucket” vibe is slipping.
Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco
Credit: Reddit
These were once the MVP of late-night cravings at $1.39. Today, you’ll shell out $2.59 or more. Taco Bell’s always had the upper hand with budget foodies, but even the once-reliable value menu is thinning out. One taco that used to be a side dish now costs almost the same as a combo meal did ten years ago.
Chipotle Burrito
Credit: Reddit
Back when guac was the only shocking price on the menu, Chipotle burritos felt like gold for under $7. That is no longer the case since customers usually expect to drop over $10.50 for one, and that’s before chips, drinks, or extras. To be fair, it’s still a heavy, flavorful beast of a burrito, but it’s edging closer to sit-down restaurant pricing.
Jimmy John’s Original Sandwich
Credit: flickr
Jimmy John’s always promised speed, not savings—but even that fast fix is looking pricey. A standard original sandwich currently costs around 62% more than it did ten years ago. That’s a big jump for something once seen as a fresh, simple alternative to greasy fast food.
Wendy’s Dave’s Single Combo
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Wendy’s was the spot for quality fast food without burning through a twenty. But the Dave’s Single combo has increased by about 55% over the past decade. What used to be around $6 can now cross $10, depending on location.
Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwich
Credit: Reddit
Arby’s always had that quirky underdog vibe that came with slinging roast beef sandwiches with a side of curly fries. Fans still dig the meat-stacked flavor and signature sauce, but that old “two for $5” deal feels like folklore. At nearly $6 a pop, it’s a tougher sell as of late—especially when there are deli subs nearby offering more heft for the same cash.
Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Meal
Credit: flickr
Chick-fil-A meal was a classy fast-food hack until you paid about 55% more than ten years ago. That puts many meals over $10 before tax. It’s still reliable, tasty, and politely handed to you by someone who means it when they say “my pleasure,” but it no longer feels like the savvy option it used to be.
Burger King Whopper Meal
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The Whopper was the king of bang-for-your-buck burgers. Over the past decade, the price of Whopper meals has jumped 55%. For that kind of money, you expect hot fries and a burger that isn’t halfway slid out of its wrapper.
Panera Bread Turkey Sandwich
Credit: flickr
Sure, Panera has always been a little more upscale in the fast-food world—but the price for its classic turkey sandwich has gone up about 54% over the last decade. It’s still flavorful and nicely packaged, but when the sandwich alone nears twelve bucks, people start doing mental math on whether that’s a “fast lunch” or a small splurge.
Starbucks Caffè Latte
Credit: Instagram
Nobody’s pretending Starbucks was ever the cheapest coffee shop, but a tall latte used to be around $2.75, and now it’s closer to $4.50, depending on where you are. That’s a 22% bump, and it feels even bigger when you grab one daily. Add a splash of oat milk or an extra espresso shot, and you’re flirting with $6.
Subway Footlong Sub
Credit: flickr
There was a time when “$5 footlong” was Subway’s defining jingle. Prices have climbed about 39% over the last ten years, and what used to be a budget lunch feels more like an indulgence. It’s a far cry from the lunchtime win it used to be. Nostalgia is free—but that turkey sub definitely isn’t.
Shake Shack Double Cheeseburger
Credit: flickr
You walk into Shake Shack for a burger and suddenly spend $15 like you accidentally wandered into a fancy pub. The double cheeseburger alone pushes $10 these days, and that’s before you even touch fries or a drink. That’s a big ask for a fast-food joint.
Five Guys Cheeseburger
Credit: flickr
Five Guys was never “cheap-cheap,” but at least it used to feel like you were getting a meal worth the splurge. A cheeseburger, fries, and drink today will run you around $20. The burger alone can cross $10 in a heartbeat. People still love it, but even die-hards admit it’s inching out of impulse-buy territory real quick.
KFC Original Recipe Chicken Bucket
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Grabbing a bucket used to be the answer to “What’s for dinner?” without nuking your wallet. Not so much now. Prices on KFC’s chicken buckets and combo meals have risen between 23% and 34%, depending on the location. That makes feeding a family way less affordable than it used to be.
Dairy Queen Blizzard
Credit: Instagram
Ordering a Blizzard felt like the cherry on top of a cheap fast-food run. Unfortunately, that cherry’s sitting on a dessert that costs over $5 in some places. The mix-ins are still generous, and the thing’s thick enough to hold upside down, but the price doesn’t flip so quickly.
Jack in the Box Jumbo Jack
Credit: Reddit
The Jumbo Jack is still loaded with that signature Jack-in-the-Box flavor, but the pricing makes it harder to call it a “budget” burger. You’re not getting gourmet, and you’re not getting savings. It’s simply no longer the spontaneous late-night munch it used to be.
Sonic Cheeseburger
Credit: Reddit
Sonic’s drive-in charm has always been part of the experience—rollerskates, happy hour slushies, and burgers that felt like a win. But the classic cheeseburger can easily cost nearly $6 in many spots, without sides or a drink. Some fans are skipping the carhop experience altogether with combo meals inching toward $11 or $12.
Pizza Hut Large Pepperoni Pizza
Credit: Reddit
Once the party hero, Pizza Hut Large Pepperoni Pizza is now looking like a budget villain. One order could easily feed four hungry people. But as of late, it runs around $18 to $22. Add in delivery fees and tips, and you’re staring at $30 for a pizza night.