How Much Does Fast Food Cost in 2026?
What does a fast food meal cost right now?
Most people pay $8 to $12 for a combo, meaning an entree, fries and a drink. If you order just the sandwich, you usually pay $5 to $8. Sides like fries are about $2 to $3, and a drink is about $2 to $3. Feeding a family of four with combos runs roughly $35 to $50.
Price by order type
| Order | What you get | Typical price |
| Value item | A junior burger, taco, or small side | $1 - $3 |
| Classic entree | A signature sandwich or burger, on its own | $5 - $8 |
| Combo meal | Entree, fries and a drink | $8 - $12 |
| Family order | Four combos, or a shared bucket or box | $35 - $50 |
Cheapest vs priciest chains we track
Value chains like Little Caesars and Jimmy John's have the lowest entry prices, with items starting near $1. Made-to-order chains like Five Guys and Culver's sit at the higher end, where a single burger can pass $8 and a combo lands around $11 to $13. See the full breakdown on our cheapest fast food guide.
Why fast food costs more than it used to
Fast food prices have climbed for a few plain reasons: higher food and packaging costs, higher wages, and rent. Most chains raised menu prices several times over the past few years. Combos rose faster than single items, so ordering a la carte and skipping the drink is now one of the easiest ways to save.
How to spend less
Use each chain's app. Loyalty rewards, a free signup item, and app-only deals beat paying full menu price. Order a single entree instead of a combo, get water instead of a soda, and check our fast food deals page before you go.
FAQ
How much is a fast food meal in 2026?
A fast food combo meal costs about $8 to $12 at most US chains in 2026. Ordering just the sandwich, without fries and a drink, usually costs $5 to $8. Prices vary by location because franchises set their own.
Which fast food is the cheapest?
Value chains like Little Caesars and Jimmy John's have the lowest starting prices, with items from about $1. Little Caesars is known for low-cost pizza, and many chains have $1 to $3 value items. See our cheapest fast food guide for the full list.
Why is fast food so expensive now?
Fast food prices rose because food, packaging, wages and rent all went up. Chains raised prices several times in recent years, and combo meals rose faster than single items. Ordering a la carte and using app deals are the easiest ways to cut the cost.