USDA figures put restaurant prices up 3.4% year over year and all food up 3.0%. Independent tracking of 76 chains puts fast food specifically at 4.2%, with McDonald’s at 5.1% and Chipotle at 6.2%.

Fast-food meals that once defined affordability have become more expensive than some sit-down restaurant promotions, according to widespread consumer observations and industry data. The U.S.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Photo credit: Depositphotos. A trip to the drive-thru used to be an easy call. Order, pay, forget about it by the time you got ...

Earnings from the first three months of 2026 show food businesses leaning on value menus and price cuts are gaining share as mid-tier fast food chains like Wingstop and Popeyes are losing, with ...

Checkers & Rally’s CEO Chris Tebben says consumers continue to prioritize affordable fast-food meals as inflation and higher everyday expenses shape dining decisions ...

A fast-food chain with a cult following has made a menu update to make wallets happy. Whataburger, a San Antonio-based burger ...

From roast beef to frozen custard, these 8 underrated fast-food restaurants often have better value, fresher food, and shorter lines than bigger-name rivals.

Inflation is making everything more expensive, and budget-conscious customers no longer feel these former favorite fast food chains are worth the higher price.

Fast food, once viewed as a quick and affordable meal, is no longer so, as prices have far outpaced inflation over the last decade, according to a new study by FinanceBuzz. While the national ...