
NOVATO, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Customers enter a Taco Bell restaurant on February 22, 2018 in Novato, California. Taco Bell has become the fourth-largest domestic restaurant brand by edging out Burger King. Taco Bell sits behind the top three restaurant chains McDonald’s, Starbucks and Subway. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)The fast food drive-thru used to be the place where you could always get a cheap tasty meal in a hurry, even if it wasn’t the most nutritious. But those days are over as paying for your order could easily give you sticker shock now. Inflation baby! Because of that naughty word "inflation" fast food has gotten a lot more expensive. But how much more? Which chains prices have gone up the most?
New research shows us just how much prices have gone up the most.
- FinanceBuzz crunched the numbers from 2014 and compared them to today’s prices to determine which fast food chains have raised prices the most in the past decade.
- McDonald’s tops the list with the highest increase in the last 10 years, with menu items going up an average of 100%.
- That’s three times the national rate of inflation during the same time period.
- For example, a 10-piece order of Chicken McNuggets that was once $5.99 is now $10.99.
- But Mickey D’s isn’t alone in their price hikes. Taco Bell, which used to be the place you could buy a meal with loose change found in your car, has raised prices 81%.
How Much Menu Prices Have Gone Up At Fast Food Chains Since 2014
- McDonald’s 100%
- Popeyes 86%
- Taco Bell 81%
- Chipotle 75%
- Jimmy John’s 62%
- Arby’s 55%
- Burger King 55%
- Chick-fil-A 55%
- Wendy’s 55%
- Panera 54%
7 Best Fast Food Burgers For Under 5 Dollars In Charlotte
Everyone knows that inflation has hit fast-food chains really hard. Even though sticker shock is prevalent, there are still some good deals to be had if you look closely. I just paid 10 dollars for the chicken sandwich meal at Burger King! 10 dollars! Value menu items are usually the best place to start saving money. The website EatThis,NotThat! has found the best fast-food burgers that you can still get for under $5 dollars.
A lot of fast-food chains offer specialty burgers with unique ingredients or flavor combinations. These usually include items like barbecue sauce, mushrooms, avocado, different types of cheese, or various condiments. Even french fries! Those burgers and combos usually get expensive. My favorite burgers are from Wendy's or McDonald's.
Make sure you sign up for discount emails and check the restaurant's apps for all the deals they offer.
Here’s a list of burgers under 5 dollars. These places are in Charlotte. I've also added the nutritional info, because you know when you're eating fast food you want it to be as healthy as possible! Haha. (prices may vary depending on your location):
Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger

(Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Wendy's)
This is a great value that was priced at $2.69 as of September 2023 and a Double Bacon Stack goes for $3.59. (1 Order) 370 calories, 23 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 650 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (1 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 18 g protein.
Jack in the Box Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
This burger can be found for as cheap as $3.19 but you can also get the Sourdough Jack for $4.69 and the Classic Buttery Jack for $4.79 according to Fast Food Menu Prices. (Cheeseburger 1 Order) 570 calories, 30 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 1310 mg sodium, 45 g carbs (3 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 30 g protein.
Dairy Queen Signature Cheeseburger Stackburger

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The double cheeseburger goes for $4.99 in some DQ locations. (Double) 570 calories, 34 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 1530 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (1 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 29 g protein.
McDonald’s Cheeseburger

(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
McDonald’s has gotten some bad press lately over their really high prices but the classic cheeseburger and McDouble are still affordable. A cheeseburger is $1.88 and a McDouble goes for $2.60. (Cheeseburger 1 Order) 300 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 720 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (2 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 15 g protein.
Burger King Bacon Double Cheeseburger

(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
This BK burger goes for as little as $2.09 in some locations and if you exclude the bacon it costs $1.99. (1 Order) 440 calories, 24 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 970 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (1.4 g fiber, 7.7 g sugar), 27.1 g protein.
Culver’s ButterBurger with Cheese

(Photo illustration by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)
Made with fresh meat and Wisconsin cheese, this burger can cost as little as $3.39 in some locations as of September 2023. (Single) 460 calories, 23 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 610 mg sodium, 39 g carbs (1 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 23 g protein.
Checkers/Rally’s Double Fry Lover’s Burger

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
This burger goes for as low as $3.99 and the All American Cheeseburger is priced as low as $2.29. (Double 1 Order) 670 calories, 39 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 1780 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (3 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 28 g protein.