14 Wildly Overpriced Fast Food Chains You Shouldn’t Waste Money On

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Convenience will cost you big at these wildly overpriced fast food restaurant chains throughout the United States.

In the past, fast food offered a cheap and quick way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort. However, inflation forces favorites like Wendy’s and Pizza Hut to charge shockingly high prices for mid-quality meals.

These are the most expensive fast food chains to avoid and where to eat instead.

Skip: McDonald’s

Newsweek reports that McDonald’s menu prices have increased by over 140% in the last five years. Among the highest price hikes was the basic cheeseburger, which skyrocketed 215% in price. The fast food giant is famous for its burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries. However, McDonald’s continues to use low-quality ingredients, making you overpay for a mediocre meal.

Instead: Whataburger

Your wallet and stomach will thank you for dining at Whataburger. This Texas staple is opening new locations nationwide, letting more people sample its tasty, fresh offerings. In 2023, Whataburger was named the healthiest place to grab a fast food burger.

Skip: Starbucks

Coffee lovers are struggling to justify Starbucks’ drink prices. As the world’s largest coffee chain, it dominates much of the fast-casual coffee market. Expect to spend $5-7 on a 16-ounce Refresher or latte creation, plus more if you customize it with extra syrups or non-dairy milk.

Instead: Dutch Bros

The Oregon-based Dutch Bros company is giving Starbucks a run for its money. Famous for its quirky, upbeat atmosphere, the drive-through chain has a similar variety of hot and cold coffees, teas, and more. Most medium drinks are under $5 at Dutch Bros, making it a more cost-effective choice.

Skip: Panera Bread

While Panera Bread markets itself as a casual bakery-cafe chain, it’s one of the most expensive fast food options. Core menu items include soups, salads, and sandwiches. Expect to spend $13 on a bowl of bacon mac and cheese and upwards of $20 for a signature You Pick Two combo meal.

Instead: Panera Ready-to-Heat

Stores like Walmart and Target sell Panera’s ready-to-heat soups for much lower prices. You can save several dollars on your lunch by picking up a soup container and enjoying it at home. Pair it with a homemade sandwich for a balanced meal that won’t break the bank. 

Skip: Chipotle

Chipotle specializes in Mexican burritos, bowls, and tacos. It charges premium prices to account for food preparation since all of its fresh ingredients are stored in-house. The restaurant chain came under fire in 2023 when it announced the fourth price increase since 2021 due to inflation.

Instead: Qdoba Mexican Eats

Consider switching to Qdoba Mexican Eats, a similar fast-casual option that’s easier on the wallet. Qdoba features a familiar selection of nachos, burritos, and bowls but is overall cheaper. The food is high-quality and flavorful, rivaling Chipotle’s overpriced menu offerings.

Skip: Jersey Mike’s Subs

Since 1956, Jersey Mike’s Subs has been serving tasty hot and cold subs. The chain is famous for preparing its sandwiches Mike’s Way, with onion, lettuce, tomato, oil, vinegar, and spices. A regular 7-inch Jersey Mike’s sub costs anywhere from $11-13, a hefty price for a moderately sized sandwich.

Instead: Subway

Subway is an excellent alternative when you crave a sub sandwich. While its regular size is a bit smaller, at six inches, you’ll save several dollars at Subway. Most sandwich options are around $6-8, much more reasonable than Jersey Mike’s Subs.

Skip: Wendy’s

In 2023, Wendy’s earned the title of America’s most expensive fast food franchise. Due to inflation, menu prices rose a staggering 35% from 2022. A cheeseburger, fries, and drink combo at Wendy’s typically ranges from $10-13.

Instead: Burger King

Satisfy your hamburger cravings at Burger King. A Whopper meal, including fries and a drink, costs less than $10. Your money can go further by dining at Burger King, which offers low-cost classic American cuisine.

Skip: Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is a notoriously overpriced fast food spot. Despite being closed on Sundays, it’s one of the most profitable U.S. fast food chains. The restaurant sells meals like fried chicken sandwiches and nuggets. Many love its Southern-inspired menu, but the portion sizes may leave you hungry for more.

Instead: Raising Cane’s

While Raising Cane’s prices are comparable to Chick-fil-A, you get more bang for your buck. A 4-piece combo box costs under $12 and includes chicken fingers, french fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and a drink. You’ll be satisfied by the ample servings available at Raising Cane’s.

Skip: Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut is one of America’s most famous pizza restaurant chains. However, it’s pricier compared to other fast food options. A large pie can cost anywhere from $18-24 at Pizza Hut, depending on the crust style and toppings.

Instead: Domino’s Pizza

Eat at Domino’s Pizza to maximize your food budget. The menu here is similar to Pizza Hut’s, though it’s more budget-friendly. Large pizzas are available for $16-20, saving you several dollars.

Skip: Five Guys

Prepare to spend big on a meal at Five Guys. This burger chain is notably more expensive than its competitors. A single cheeseburger costs over $10 at Five Guys, while the smallest size of french fries is at least $5. The company justifies its high prices by promoting fresh-never-frozen ingredients.

Instead: In-N-Out

Enjoy an equally delicious burger meal at In-N-Out for a fraction of the price. Most locations are in California, but the chain is regularly expanding to new states. A cheeseburger meal with fries and a drink is around $9. In-N-Out makes every order fresh, offering the same high-quality taste as Five Guys for less.

Skip: Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme attracts customers with the infamous Hot Light, a neon sign indicating a fresh batch of warm donuts. The Original Glazed Donut, a yeasty treat coated in sugar, is its most popular item. One box of a dozen plain Krispy Kreme donuts is around $17, almost $1.50 per donut.

Instead: Dunkin’ Donuts

At Dunkin’ Donuts, another top chain in the U.S., you’ll pay closer to $1.25 a donut. Dunkin’ offers better value than Krispy Kreme. It also has a more extensive menu, with sandwiches, snacks, and savory baked goods.

Skip: KFC

KFC is a tempting fast-food joint known worldwide for its classic Southern fried chicken and sides. The restaurant specializes in Kentucky-style crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and more. While KFC is a longtime favorite, rising inflation has recently forced the franchise to raise prices.

Instead: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Many agree Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen serves better-quality chicken. Its seasonings and preparation styles differ from KFC’s but are equally delicious. The Popeyes menu has familiar favorites like chicken tenders and biscuits for less.

Skip: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is a classic that began in Kansas and has since expanded to over 35 states. Staples include steakburgers, ice cream sundaes, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches. Depending on your order, you could spend upwards of $13 on a burger, fries, and drink combo.

Instead: Culver’s

Enjoy fresh-made burgers and frozen custard at Culver’s, a midwestern classic. Its menu resembles Freddy’s, with the addition of specialty items like Wisconsin cheese curds. Not only is Culver’s more budget-friendly, but its ice cream treats frequently overshadow those at Freddy’s.

Skip: Taco Bell

Prices on Taco Bell favorites have soared in recent years. While it was once an incredibly cheap food spot, many question whether its tacos and burritos are worth the higher price tag. Taco Bell’s iconic Beefy 5-Layer Burrito is a prime example, jumping 132% in price since 2014.

Instead: Del Taco

Del Taco offers cheaper and higher-quality Mexican food. The value menu has more items for under $2.50 than Taco Bell’s, helping your money go further. Its tacos are also less expensive, at just $1 apiece, compared to Taco Bell’s, which are almost $2 each.

Skip: Sonic Drive-In

Recently, Sonic Drive-In has been in hot water over skyrocketing prices. Its affordability has experienced a sharp decline, with even simple meals costing a pretty penny. A plain cheeseburger combo is over $10 at Sonic, not including upcharges for additional toppings.

Instead: Dairy Queen

You’ll be more impressed by what your money gets you at Dairy Queen. Some locations have low-cost deals for unbeatable prices. The cheeseburger meal deal, for instance, includes a cheeseburger, fries, a drink, and a sundae for just $7.

Don’t waste money at these American fast food chains

There’s no shortage of fast food options in the U.S., but not all are created equal. Many restaurant chains have declined in quality, overcharging you for meals that leave you hungry for more.

9 Worst Fast Food Chains in America Not Worth Going to Anymore

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Select images provided by Depositphotos.