Fast Food Is Getting a Meal Deal Makeover — 6 Chains Best for Your Buck

When even fast food seems to be out of your price range you know that inflation has gotten out of hand. Budget-friendly bites appear to be a thing of the past for reasons ranging from supply chain disruptions to global inflation. Price hikes have hit every industry in the pocket but, at the end of the day, you still expect to be able to pull through a drive-through and not spend over $50. 

Food costs for ingredients, packaging materials, wages and utility bills have all risen sharply for restaurants. This inflationary pressure affects the cost of doing business and, as a result, fast-food chains have little choice but to raise menu prices to maintain margins. However, many big names in the fast-food game have returned to their core credo and are once again offering various value meal deals to comfort their customers.

As even franchise money is taking a hit, this move may not be completely selfless on the restaurants’ part as they are trying to put people back in their plastic seats. Now there is a range of prices to include menu innovations like plant-based burgers, gluten-free options and healthier snack alternatives as well as the cheap and cheerful greasy treats you know and love that won’t break the bank. Here are the best six fast-food value meal deals for your buck.

The country may run on its selection of coffee and donuts but Dunkin’ is offering fall flavors in a value-packed box. For $6 you get a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, crispy hash browns and a medium hot or iced coffee, which is a big deal for breakfast lovers. This is a limited offer that looks to only run through the fall so grab it now.

Even Dave would approve of the good eats and good deals included in Wendy’s value meal dubbed the Biggie Bag. For $5 you get a choice of a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich, four-piece chicken nuggets, junior fries and a small drink.

Taco Bell just isn’t for 2 a.m. after a night of drinking anymore as it’s not only added a breakfast menu the last few years but now is offering some savings with the Luxe Cravings Box. For $7 you get a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, chips with nacho cheese Sauce and a medium drink.

You can’t have a fast food list without including McDonald’s, and although this meal deal was only supposed to last through summer, McDonald’s extended the offer through December to remain competitive with other chains adding value meals to their menu. For $5 you get a choice of a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small drink, which when sold separately would cost you almost $10.

Maybe you really can get things your way if the King says it’s OK. As one of McDonald’s leading competitors, Burger King often goes toe-to-toe with its deals and offerings. For $5 you get a choice of a Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger, as well as a four-piece chicken nugget, value fries and value drink.

There may be no feeling better than getting Pizza Hut as a reward for reading a book or winning a big game, and Pizza Hut is playing on that nostalgia. Not only is the company rumored to be bringing back the endless buffet in some locations but the My Hut Box will be a hit for fans of the franchise. For $6.99 you get the choice of either a two-topping Personal Pan Pizza or half order of Melts, and the choice of either a side of fries or four boneless wings.

Photos are for representational purposes only and may not reflect the deals listed.