Everybody enjoys a quick, cheap bite. Foodies favor fast food for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s speed, convenience, or price, a dollar menu item always hits the spot or at least used to.
FinanceBuzz recently released a study on fast food inflation, and the results are eye-opening. If you feel like fast food has become way too expensive, you are not alone, and the data is there to back it up. Here’s a diverse list of fast food items that used to go beyond the belly for just a few bucks.
1. McChicken — McDonald’s
McDonald’s takes the cake for being the chain that is direly under the influence of fast inflation. With shrinking sizes and rising prices, the McChicken has faced a mind-blowing 199% increase in price — more than six times general inflation!
McChicken sufficed as the perfect dollar menu item back in 2014. Now, the meal takes a bigger bite out of the wallet than it offers. At $2.99, people are not lovin’ it anymore. Despite conflicting opinions over the sandwich, people miss the item’s affordability.
2. Regular Mashed Potatoes and Gravy — Popeye’s
Who doesn’t love a crispy fried chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and rich gravy? Popeye’s has been nailing the crispy fried chicken game for a while. Sadly, the add-ons have been hit the hardest because of rising costs. For a complementary option, a spike of 134% from $1.79 to $4.19 is overkill.
It’s par for fast-food prices to exceed general inflation rates. Prices are climbing by more than 100%, and the overall rates discourage customers from eating out. Moreover, their Large Cajun Fries have also shown an upward trend of 95%.
3. Beefy 5-Layer Burrito — Taco Bell
Taco Bell suffers the same reputation damage as McDonald’s with towering prices. The portion size just doesn’t cut it. What used to be a $1.59 delight reaches $3.69 with a 132% price rise.
Customers have been robbed of two layers in this burrito, which used to stack seven. Many prefer the Beefy Melt over this sloppy treat, if not a home-grilled burrito.
4. Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal — McDonald’s
Protests flood social media, but McDonald’s does not heed their pleas. Netizens find their price upsurge detestable. Over the past decade, McDonald’s most iconic meal soared and sliced through wallets with a gradual but noticeable boost from $5.39 to $11.99.
With a 122% rise, the chain’s overall prices have increased significantly. The company has been relatively consistent in the industry and is taking the odds against it. Unfortunately, this adversely affects its workers and customers alike.
5. Small Frosty — Wendy’s
Wendy’s offers Frosty in a creative range of flavors worldwide. This quick, sweet dessert is well-suited for a hot summer day, from strawberry cheesecake to churros and fries. However, prices have become absurd lately, and even Wendy’s cannot break from the shackles.
What cost under a dollar has exceeded the two-dollar mark, inflating by 111%. The fad of savoring fries with ice cream is, thus, slowly taking the hit at this place.
6. Small Icee — Burger King
Though not a popular choice, a small Icee at Burger King has also ballooned in price. Similar to Wendy’s Small Frosty, it was merely a buck-o-nine. After more than a twofold rise (101%), the Icee captures a little over two dollars from one’s wallet.
Their limited edition Frozen Fanta Kickin’ Mango was a unique flavor on their menu. It combined citrus and tropical notes with a kick. While this chilled beverage pairs seamlessly with Burger King’s Fiery Nuggets, fans have been rethinking their drive-thru visits.
7. Cake Pop — Starbucks
Starbucks has shown some restraint in its price adjustments compared to other contenders on the list. Their beverages have only been repriced slightly. With no caffeine, cake pops emerge as a hit among the younger crowd.
Regular Starbucks customers find their three-dollar price tag unreasonable. It used to be 97% lower at nearly half the price ten years ago. Though moist and a sugary nibble, these cake pops take a larger chomp from the wallet.
8. 4 Piece Chicken Dinner — Popeye’s
Everybody loves a rich, decadent meal at the end of the day. An oily spread proves well for curing a hangover. Four pieces of crispy fried chicken, a side of choice, a buttermilk biscuit, and a regular drink sound like a perfect seven-dollar feast.
Inflation has also taken this hearty meal out of reach. At $13.79, this four-piece meal is rejected to favor other budget-friendly options. A 97% upsurge has drastically changed people’s attitude toward fast food, even if it’s the best fried chicken.
9. Steak Salad — Chipotle
Hold the guac; it’s too costly now. Even with somewhat milder surges, Chipotle still isn’t reasonable. From $6.65 a decade ago to $12.45, Chipotle’s Steak Salad makes healthy eating less pocket-friendly. An 87% hike seems tame in comparison to other franchises.
Diminishing portion sizes and stingy dressings make this experience unpleasant. Beef rates have risen by a hefty amount, so this chain is trying its best to stay afloat. Overall, people have begun to stray away from this guac machine.
10. Bread Bowl of Soup — Panera Bread
While Panera Bread teeters between a fast-food chain and a proper restaurant, people’s expectations skyrocket for the brand’s range. A Bread Bowl of Soup is an exceptional food for the gram. It looks aesthetically pleasing and is creative to dig into.
At $4.99, Panera’s Cheesy Broccoli Soup delighted many hearts and guts. The rise in the cost of healthy ingredients has contributed to the price hike to $9.19—an 84% rise since 2014. Despite people’s rage, the fire remains alight.
11. Crunchwrap Supreme Combo — Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s signature savory treat never fails to fill a hungry stomach. A blend of diced vegetables and protein enveloped in a cheesy sauce may be your gut’s enemy, but the heart craves it. The satisfying crunch of the taco shell is the cherry on top.
This five-buck meal took the internet by storm back in the day. All of its variants are mouth-watering, but the current price deters people. Now, it sells for $8.59 with a 72% upcharge. Netizens also criticize their skimpy portions and uneven fillings.
12. Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Combo — Arby’s
Arby’s has always taken a slightly different route by selling roast beef sandwiches at the time of burgers. Unfortunately, it follows the same inflationary path when it comes to prices. This seemingly healthy sandwich is loaded with sodium and costs about thirteen bucks.
In the olden days, it cost $7.49 to indulge in this layered delicacy. However, 67% upward pressure on prices has plunged customer traffic by a decent amount. Many take to home-made options for a controlled diet.
13. Grilled Chicken Club Combo with Cheese — Chick-fil-A
This grilled chicken sandwich is a standout gem on the menu. Though underrated, it’s packed with the tastiest club sandwich ingredients. When paired with waffle fries, it adds the perfect crunch to each bite. Unluckily, the wallet disagrees with these incredible bites.
Again, twelve bucks for a sandwich seems too much. A decade ago, this item at Chick-fil-A cost $7.59, but a 58% uprise has replaced the tag. Recipes flood the internet to recreate this now-expensive experience at home.
14. Spicy Chicken Sandwich Combo — Wendy’s
Fast inflation and portion shrinkage are a deadly combo. Sadly, Wendy’s has been at the forefront of this. Its iconic Spicy Chicken Sandwich garnered most of its customer base. Now, the same item results in their decline.
Wendy’s takes the frontline with its menu prices. Prices have leaped from $6.39 to $9.99 in the last decade. Many contemplate if this 56% bump and a 30% reduction in patty size make it worthwhile.
15. Footlong Philly Cheesesteak — Subway
Despite their consistency with ongoing inflation rates, Subway’s toastiness is going stale. The Footlong Philly Cheesesteak beefs up your bill by 44% compared to 2014. Though flexibility and customization slightly justify the price tag, it’s too much for a daily snack.
Since the climb from $8.25 to $11.89, many have switched to other deli places. Subway has never been cheap, but its inconsistency in quality and tedious ordering procedures limit the number of customers that walk in the door.
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