The Rising Cost of Fast Food in America

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

From 2019 to 2023, the price of food in the United States rose 25%,¹ leading consumers, especially those younger or running on a tight budget, to consider their options for meals more carefully. Fast food, in essence, is meant to supply cheap, quick food when at-home cooking isn’t an option, with examples being fast food giants like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Arby’s, etc. However, the prices of many of these restaurants have continued to rise over the past few years, as the quality of the food remains questionable in the eyes of some consumers.

Causes For Fast Food Price Increase

There are many reasons the cost of fast food could increase or fluctuate. Some examples include the costs of labor, the cost of ingredients, politics, diseases, etc. One recent example is with Avian Influenza (also known as Bird Flu). Disease spreading through birds could raise both the price of eggs, and the price of chicken; a common fast food menu item.² Another common answer is inflation; the increasing price resulting from the U.S. dollar becoming less valuable over the years. However, the rising cost of fast food doesn’t line up with inflation, claimed United States Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Robert P. Casey Jr. in a letter to Mcdonald’s’ CEO:

“A recent analysis of six popular fast food chains found that 27 out of 30 menu items experienced price increases that outpaced inflation.”³

Cost of Fast Food Ingredients

It’s hard to estimate the cost of an item versus the ingredients used for it, as prices will vary (often wildly) depending on location, however the previous letter describes the price markup for McDonald’s menu items being as high as 85% in 2023,³ meaning the consumer pays around 85% more than they would’ve to produce it themselves. This makes the idea of buying the basic ingredients from stores and putting it together more appealing. It’s also likely fresher, as the McDonald’s site states for its burgers: “From the day it was formed, it usually takes about two to three weeks until the burger is served.”⁴

While there are countless reasons for fast food prices to rise over the past few years, it remains clear that consumers should look for other options to both save on money and have a healthier diet. While restaurants often mess up orders, sometimes have unpredictable quality (such as cold food), and are getting pricier, cooking the meals with your own ingredients is much more consistent. It’s considerably cheaper than eating out, provides more variety in options, and can be more nutritious.

References:

¹ “Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials – Food Prices and Spending | Economic Research Service.” Usda.gov, 2025, www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/food-prices-and-spending?topicId=1afac93a-444e-4e05-99f3-53217721a8be.

² News, PBS. “Egg Prices Are Soaring, Don’t Expect That to Change Soon.” PBS News, 28 Jan. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/egg-prices-are-soaring-dont-expect-that-to-change-soon.