Fast food is supposed to be quick, convenient, and, above all, affordable. But let’s be real, some fast food joints have completely lost the plot. With prices that make you double-check your receipt and portions that leave you hungry, these chains have turned “fast food” into “fast cash.”
1. Five Guys: Burgers with a Side of Sticker Shock
Sure, the burgers are tasty, but have you seen the prices at Five Guys lately? A cheeseburger, fries, and a drink can easily set you back $20. That’s more than a sit-down meal at some casual restaurants. When even Business Insider calls out your prices, you know it’s time to reassess your menu.
2. Shake Shack: Gourmet Prices for Fast Food
Shake Shack may have started as a humble burger stand, but these days, it’s more “gourmet” than fast food. With single burgers priced at nearly $10, you’d think they were feeding you gold.
3. Panera Bread: Fancy Names, Fancy Prices
Panera Bread likes to sell itself as the healthier fast food option, but you’ll pay a premium for those fresh ingredients. A salad and a drink can easily cost over $15. For a place that calls itself “fast-casual,” these prices are more high-end restaurant than fast food.
4. Starbucks: More Than Just Overpriced Coffee
We all know Starbucks charges a lot for coffee, but their food isn’t cheap either. A simple breakfast sandwich can cost over $5, and don’t get me started on those overpriced pastries. When you’re charging $4 for a croissant, maybe it’s time to rethink your pricing strategy.
5. Chipotle: Burritos with a Side of Inflation
Chipotle is great if you’re looking for customizable options, but those extras add up fast. Guacamole? That’ll be an extra $2.50. A side of chips? Another $1.50. By the time you’re done, your “cheap” meal is well over $10. Not exactly the affordable Mexican food it used to be.
6. Qdoba: Chipotle’s Overpriced Cousin
Speaking of overpriced Mexican food, Qdoba isn’t far behind. While they offer free guac, their overall prices are still steep. A burrito bowl with a drink can set you back almost $12. For that price, you could have a sit-down meal at a local Mexican restaurant.
7. Wingstop: Flying High with Prices
Wingstop serves up some tasty wings, but their prices are nothing to cheer about. A 10-piece combo with fries and a drink can easily hit $15. That’s a lot to pay for something you can easily make at home or get cheaper at a local sports bar.
8. Jamba Juice: Overpriced Smoothies in Disguise
You’re trying to be healthy, so you hit up Jamba Juice for a smoothie. But when a large smoothie costs over $7, it feels like they’re squeezing your wallet more than the fruit. A trip to the grocery store would be a much cheaper way to get your daily dose of fruit.
9. Jersey Mike’s: Subs with a Premium
Jersey Mike’s may have some decent subs, but their prices are far from subpar. A regular-sized sandwich can cost over $10, and that’s without chips or a drink. For that price, you might as well go to a local deli where the sandwiches are bigger and better.
10. The Habit Burger Grill: Pricey “Habit” to Break
The Habit Burger Grill offers some pretty solid burgers, but they come with a hefty price tag. A meal with a burger, fries, and a drink can easily hit $15. While it’s not the worst deal out there, it’s far from the best, especially when you’re craving fast food.
11. Noodles & Company: Paying Too Much for Pasta
Noodles & Company sells itself as a step up from typical fast food, but its prices are a major step up too. A basic bowl of noodles can cost over $8, and that’s before you add any extras. For that price, you could buy a box of pasta and make several meals at home.
12. Panda Express: Panda Pricing, Not Panda Portions
Panda Express may be a mall food court staple, but it’s not exactly budget-friendly. A two-item combo plate can cost over $10, and the portions aren’t anything to write home about. If you’re craving Chinese food, a local restaurant would likely give you more bang for your buck.
13. Blaze Pizza: Custom Pies, Custom Prices
Blaze Pizza lets you build your own pizza, but by the time you add your favorite toppings, you’re looking at a $10 pie. And let’s be honest, these pizzas aren’t exactly large. For the same price, you could get a much larger pizza from a traditional pizza joint.
14. Cold Stone Creamery: Ice Cream with a Side of Shock
Cold Stone may have some of the creamiest ice cream around, but those prices are a tough pill to swallow. A large creation can cost over $6, and that’s before you add any mix-ins. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there are much cheaper ways to satisfy it.
The Takeaway: Vote With Your Wallet
At the end of the day, the power is in our hands—or rather, our wallets. If these fast food chains want to keep hiking up prices, maybe it’s time we take our business elsewhere.
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