McDonald's used to be cheap, and we know this about the food. It was acceptable because of the low cost. Now it cost as much as getting a meal from Applebee's. It's no longer acceptable.

What was once considered affordable, fast, and casual is now pushing the limits of what people expect to pay for "value" food.

McDonald’s, like many fast-food chains, built its brand on convenience, consistency, and low prices. For decades, you could walk in with a five-dollar bill and leave with a full meal. A dollar menu actually meant items that cost one dollar. The food wasn’t meant to be gourmet—it was fast, accessible, and budget-friendly. That was the social contract.

But in recent years, especially post-2020, the price landscape has shifted dramatically:

  • A standard combo meal at McDonald's can now cost $10–14 in many areas, nearly matching or even exceeding the cost of a sit-down lunch at chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s, or local diners.

  • Regional reports show that a Big Mac meal can cost over $15 in some metro locations—without upgrades.

  • Price increases are happening alongside portion shrinkage, making people feel like they’re paying more for less.

Customers tolerated lower nutritional value or questionable ingredients before because the price point justified the compromise. But now, as fast food approaches the cost of casual dining, that equation no longer adds up. If you're spending $15, you could expect table service, real plates, a bigger portion, and food that feels like it came from a kitchen rather than an assembly line.

McDonald’s points to inflation, rising food costs, labor shortages, and higher wages as reasons for the increase. While some of that is valid, customers are questioning whether the product matches the new price tag.

At its core, the issue isn’t just about inflation—it’s about perceived value. People are willing to pay more for quality. But when fast food charges premium prices while offering the same old processed food, people naturally begin to opt for better options or simply stop going altogether.

The public sentiment is shifting: nostalgia isn't enough to carry McDonald’s through a pricing crisis, especially when the promise of affordability—the very thing that made it acceptable—is being broken.

To provide a clearer picture, here are some menu items and their respective prices as of April 2025:

McDonald's Menu Prices:

Source: McDonald's Menu 2025 – Updated Prices, Meals & Specials


Applebee's Menu Prices:

Source: Applebee's Menu With Prices 2025 - HackTheMenu


These comparisons highlight how the price gap between fast food and casual dining has narrowed, leading many to question the value proposition of fast-food meals.​

Regarding images of the menus, I can provide links to the respective menu pages where you can view the items and their prices:

These links will direct you to the official menus with images and detailed information about each item.


Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.



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