You’ll do a double take at the drive-thru once you learn how much these fast-food menu prices have soared in the past decade. Fast food restaurants blame inflation as the culprit for price hikes, but many of these outrageous price hikes far exceed the average national inflation rate.
If you were shocked by the total of a recent fast food meal, you aren’t alone—grabbing a quick snack from a chain restaurant can be unbelievably expensive in 2024.
These fast food orders that have skyrocketed in the past decade:
Why is fast food so expensive?
FinanceBuzz reports that while U.S. inflation has increased 31% since 2014, some fast-food companies have hiked their menu prices over double this amount. The financial publication conducted a 2024 study of 12 different chain restaurants to determine how their pricing data compares to overall inflation.
It found that the average restaurant increase was 60%—McDonald’s was the worst offender, raising its menu prices more than triple the national inflation rate. According to Catalyst, many factors, ranging from increased demand to labor costs, contribute to these skyrocketing prices.
1. McDonald’s McChicken
Price increase: 199%
In 2014, you could order a McChicken from McDonald’s for $1. Today, the same sandwich costs $2.99, a massive increase in 10 years.
2. Popeye’s Regular Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Price increase: 134%
A regular order of Popeye’s mashed potatoes and gravy is $4.19 in 2024. This is a 134% increase from 2014, when the side order was $1.79.
3. Taco Bell Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
Price increase: 132%
Taco Bell significantly raised prices for many beloved menu items, including the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito. The burrito was $1.59 a decade ago but now costs $3.69.
4. Wendy’s Small Frosty
Price increase: 111%
You used to be able to order a small Frosty from Wendy’s for under $1 in 2014. The company has since raised the price to $2.09 as of 2024.
5. Burger King Small Icee
Price increase: 101%
Burger King’s small Icee drink has more than doubled in price since 2014. It used to cost $1.09 but is now available for $2.19.
6. Starbucks Cake Pop
Price increase: 97%
Cake pops aren’t as wallet-friendly at Starbucks as they once were. The coffee chain sold these bite-sized treats for $1.50 in 2014—today, they’re $2.95.
7. Chipotle Barbacoa Burrito
Price increase: 87%
Expect to pay a lot more for a Chipotle Barbacoa burrito in 2024. The menu item has jumped from $6.65 to $12.45 since 2014.
8. Panera Bread Bowl of Soup
Price increase: 84%
While many consumers once relied on Panera as an affordable lunch option, the restaurant’s menu is more expensive than ever. Soup served in a bread bowl cost $4.99 in 2014 but will now run you over $9.
9. Jimmy John’s Chips
Price increase: 84%
Skip the chips at Jimmy John’s—they’ve become ridiculously overpriced since 2014. While a bag of chips used to be $0.99, it now costs $1.82.
10. Arby’s Cherry Turnover
Price increase: 78%
The cherry turnover is one of the worst Arby’s menu items in terms of price inflation. A decade ago, the cherry turnover was $1.29. In 2024, it is now $2.29.
11. Chick-fil-A Southwest Salad
Price increase: 70%
Eating healthy at Chick-fil-A will cost you. The beloved Southwest Salad has risen from $5.69 to $9.69 since 2014.
12. Subway 6-Inch Black Forest Ham
Price increase: 50%
A 6-inch black forest ham sandwich is one of the priciest items you can order at Subway in 2024. You used to be able to score one for $3.50, but it will now cost you $5.25.
Don’t expect any bang for your buck at McDonald’s
The once-affordable McDonald’s chain is now among the most expensive fast food options. These popular menu items have dramatically increased in price.
McDonald’s Prices Skyrocket Up to 215% — 5 Menu Items With the Highest Hikes
Save money by skipping these overpriced chains
Fast food is nowhere near as affordable as it once was. These restaurant chains have become so pricey that they aren’t worth your hard-earned cash.
14 Wildly Overpriced Fast Food Chains You Shouldn’t Waste Money On
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
