Fast food now costs as much as sit-down restaurants
Fast food for a family of five now costs $60 to $70, matching sit-down restaurants.
Fast food is no longer cheap. Combo meals at major chains now cost $15 each.
A family of five now spends $60 to $70 on fast food. Spending that much matches the price of sitting down at a traditional restaurant.
But fast food lacks table service and free drink refills. Food costs, labour, rent, and insurance have all increased.
As a result, drive-through meals no longer save money. Consumers on social media noted that sit-down restaurants now offer better value for the same price.
- $15
- Combo meal price
- $60 to $70
- Family of five cost
- November 4
- Post date
Why it mattersFamilies relying on fast food as an affordable dining option have lost that advantage; they now choose between paying full-service restaurant prices or cooking at home.
AustraliaAustralian fast food chains face the same cost pressures as US outlets, so local prices have likely followed the same upward trend in recent years.
