Fast Food Menu Terms, Explained
Value menu
A short list of low-priced items, usually $1 to $5, designed to get you in the door. Example: the Whataburger Whatadeal menu with $3, $4 and $5 items. Value menus disappeared during the price surge and came back in 2025 and 2026.
Combo meal
An entree, a side (usually fries), and a drink sold as a bundle, typically $8 to $13. A combo usually saves $1 to $2 over buying the parts, but skipping the drink often beats the combo. See combo prices compared.
A la carte
Ordering items individually instead of as a combo. The cheapest way to eat if you drink water.
Secret menu
Unofficial items built from regular ingredients that staff can make if you describe them, like the Chick-fil-A Root Beer Float. No chain publishes one officially. See our secret menu guides.
Limited-time offer (LTO)
A seasonal or promotional item sold for a few weeks or months. LTOs often return yearly, like pumpkin or peppermint shakes.
Upcharge
A small extra fee for a substitution or upgrade, like swapping fries for onion rings or going from medium to large. Usually $0.40 to $2.
Kids meal
A small entree with a side, drink, and often a toy, usually $4 to $7. Cheaper than any adult combo and fine as a light meal for adults too.
Catering tray
Bulk boxes like a 30-count nugget tray. The per-piece price is the lowest on the menu, which makes trays the best value for groups.
Franchise pricing
Most fast food locations are owned by franchisees who set their own prices. That is why the same sandwich can cost 20 percent more downtown, and why every price on this site is an average US price.
FAQ
What is the difference between a value menu and a combo meal?
A value menu is a list of individually cheap items, usually $1 to $5. A combo meal is a bundle of an entree, side and drink, usually $8 to $13. Value menus are for eating cheap; combos are for convenience.
Are fast food secret menus real?
Sort of. No chain publishes an official secret menu, but staff can usually build popular off-menu orders from regular ingredients if you describe them. Availability depends on the location and what it stocks.
Why do fast food prices differ between locations?
Because most locations are franchises and each operator sets its own prices. Downtown, airport and stadium locations run 10 to 25 percent higher than suburban ones, and delivery apps add another 15 to 25 percent on top.