Don't Waste Your Money | Why fast food prices are still inflated | Business

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Have you ordered any fast food lately? You may have noticed it's costing a lot more these days.

Consumer Reporter John Matarese shows why some feel it's too much so you don't waste your money.

The government keeps telling us that inflation is finally down, running just 3.5% last year. Then why are fast food prices so much higher?

Social media has been lighting up in recent weekends with posts about outrageous fast food prices, such as the Connecticut Highway Service Plaza where a Big Mac combo is $17.

CNN showed a Tiktoker upset with a $3 breakfast hash brown, which is just a fried potato.

Restaurant Business Online said fast food menu prices were up 6% from the end of 2022 to 2023, well outpacing grocery store inflation.

An analyses by Pricelisto.com shows the high price of some popular menu items:

A McDonald's Big Mac: $5.50 on average
A McDonald's Quarter Pounder: $5.60 on average
A Burger King Whopper: $5.80 on average
A Wendy's chicken sandwich: $6.30 on average
A Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich: $5.30 on average

McDonald's this month reported weaker than expected sales, as it appears all those price hikes are now having an impact.

And from the "doesn't that stink file," why are some restaurants so much more expensive than others?

McDonald's said most of its restaurants are independently owned, and that highway rest stops or big city locations will be pricier.

But TikTok posts are now going viral about some McDonald's prices, and those complaints may be why McDonald's is saying it is bringing back some dollar menu items soon.

If you're on a tight budget, packing a lunch to work can save you $5 a day, wait a minute, it's more like $10 a day now.

That way you don't waste your money.

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