At a time when convenience is king, fast food has long been a go-to solution for quick, affordable meals. But what was once a budget-friendly option is now putting a strain on consumers’ wallets. In just 10 years, the cost of a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal has more than doubled, Subway has raised prices by nearly 40% and Popeye’s has gone up a whopping 86%. That’s a big gulp for your budget to swallow, but there are some things you can do to take a bite out of rising fast food costs:
- Rethink those supersized sodas. Go with water instead to save on drinks for you and your family.
- With prices keeping customers away, fast food franchises may turn to special offers to entice diners back. Monitor websites, social posts and traditional mail flyers for coupons from your favorite chains.
- It might be less expensive to go with a combo meal that includes a beverage and side along with your entree rather than ordering a la carte. Take the time to review the menu and find out what adds up to the best price for your meal.
- Lots of fast-food restaurants have value menus to help keep costs down. If small fries from the value menu are half the price of large fries, it might be worth a few less fries for a lower cost at the register.
- If you and your family have favorite eating spots, join loyalty programs where you can earn points for purchases and then redeem them toward future orders. Lots of fast-food restaurants have apps where you can register purchases and rack up points for discounts or free items.
- Stick with the basics to keep prices down. If adding cheese or additional dipping sauces costs extra, maybe skip that if you’re trying to save money.
- Consider purchasing a kid’s meal — they’re often less expensive and in some instances might have the same amount of food as a regular small combo.
- Gift yourself some savings. Big box stores like Costco may offer discounts on gift cards to fast food restaurants when you buy them in bulk.
Fast food can still be a great deal compared to many sit-down restaurants. But with a little planning and creative thinking, your next visit to the drive-thru doesn’t have to come with a bill that’s a whopper — or a not-so-happy meal that busts your budget.
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