If you’re trying to stretch your restaurant budget , fast food might be your go-to option. But over the last decade, fast-food prices have increased exponentially — in many cases, by much more than the national inflation rate.
In addition to the rising cost of ingredients, the fast-food chains have had to increase employee wages, which has contributed to the higher prices.
To see how much prices have risen, FinanceBuzz collected pricing data from multiple fast-food restaurants from 2014 to 2024. Keep reading to find out which fast-food items have gone up by 100% or more.
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1. Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch (100%)
On average, Taco Bell’s prices increased by 81% in the last decade, but three of its most popular items increased by 100% or more. Back in the day, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch cost just $2.49, but the item now averages $4.99.
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2. Burger King Small Icee (101%)
Burger King’s prices increased just 55% overall, which means the chain managed to stay more affordable than some others on our list. Still, Burger King’s price increases impacted some of your favorite menu items, including a small Icee, which went from $1.09 to $2.19.
3. Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme (110%)
In 2014, customers paid an average of $2.19 for a Chalupa Supreme. Nowadays, the same tasty item goes for $4.59.
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4. Wendy’s Small Frosty (111%)
Like Burger King, Wendy’s prices increased by an average of just 55% in the last decade. Some of Wendy’s cheapest items went up in price the most, though. A small Frosty, which cost $0.99 a decade ago, now costs $2.09.
5. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal (122%)
On average, McDonald’s has increased its prices by a whopping 100% in the last 10 years.
While all of McDonald’s items cost at least twice as much now as they did years ago, some of the chain’s best-sellers increased in price even more dramatically, starting with the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal: It jumped to $11.99 from $5.39.
6. Taco Bell Beefy 5-Layer Burrito (132%)
The Taco Bell item that increased in price the most in the last decade was the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, which now costs $3.69 (it used to cost $1.59).
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7. Popeye’s Regular Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (134%)
Even though Popeye’s prices increased by an average of 86%, its meals are still relatively affordable compared to those at McDonald’s.
The only item to increase by more than 100% was the Regular Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, which now costs $4.19 compared to just $1.79 in 2014.
8. McDonald’s Medium Fries (138%)
Even a serving of Medium Fries wasn’t safe from the chain’s intense price hikes over the last decade: McDonald’s now charges $3.79 for a Medium Fry that cost just $1.59 in years past.
9. McDonald’s McDouble (168%)
The McDouble's price more than doubled over the course of the decade, to $3.19 in 2024 from $1.19 in 2014.
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10. McDonald’s McChicken (199%)
A McChicken sandwich used to be an excellent $1.00 steal. Now, one sandwich costs $2.99 — nearly 200% more than it did in 2014.
Bottom line
Taking advantage of deals at your favorite bargain grocery store, buying in bulk at warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club, and eating at home more often than you eat out can help your food budget go the extra mile this month.
But if you really need a fast-food fix, you can save money eating out by downloading your favorite chain’s app and taking advantage of special deals on specific days.
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