By Aliza, founder and editor of Menu Info. Updated October 2026.
Fast food is not as cheap as it used to be. A burger, fries and a drink that cost around $8 a few years ago can easily pass $12 today, and delivery can push the same meal close to $20. The good news is that the big chains still offer plenty of ways to pay less, as long as you know where to look. These are the strategies that save the most money, based on how the chains we track actually price their menus.
1. Order in the app, not at the counter
Almost every major chain now saves its best prices for its own app. McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and the pizza chains all run deals that only appear in the app, from free fries with a purchase to buy one get one sandwiches. The same order at the counter often costs a few dollars more. If you eat fast food even once a week, downloading the apps of your two or three favorite chains is the single biggest saving you can make.
2. Join the rewards programs you will actually use
Rewards programs turn regular spending into free food. Most give points for every dollar spent, a reward when you sign up and a treat on your birthday. Pick the programs at chains you already visit often, rather than signing up everywhere.
| Chain | Program | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | MyMcDonald's Rewards | Points on every order, redeemable for free items |
| Chick-fil-A | Chick-fil-A One | Points and tier rewards, plus surprise offers |
| Starbucks | Starbucks Rewards | Stars on purchases for free drinks and food |
| Domino's | Domino's Rewards | Points on online orders toward a free pizza |
| Chili's | My Chili's Rewards | Free chips and salsa or a drink on visits, birthday dessert |
| Raising Cane's | Caniac Club | Sign up and birthday rewards plus surprise offers |
Program details change often, so check each app for current rewards. Our guide to restaurant rewards apps covers more chains.
3. Pick up instead of using delivery apps
Delivery is the most expensive way to buy fast food. Third party apps usually mark up menu prices before adding a delivery fee, a service fee and a tip. Together these can add 30 to 50 percent to the cost of a small order. Ordering ahead in the chain's own app and picking up gives you the speed of delivery without the extra cost, and many of the best deals are carryout only anyway.
4. Use value menus and bundle deals
Most chains have a value menu or bundle that costs less than buying items separately.
| Deal | Typical price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Chili's 3 for Me | From $10.99 | Bottomless drink, starter and entree |
| Domino's Mix and Match | $6.99 per item | Two or more items such as medium pizzas and pasta |
| Little Caesars Classic Hot-N-Ready | About $6.99 | A large pepperoni or cheese pizza |
| Little Caesars Lunch Combo | $5.99 | Four slices of Deep Dish and a drink, 11 AM to 2 PM |
See more ideas in our list of the cheapest fast food meals.
5. Skip the combo when you do not need the drink
Combos are not always a bargain. A fountain drink costs the restaurant very little, so much of the combo "saving" is really the price of a soda you might not want. If you are happy with water, order the sandwich and a small side separately and compare the total. At chains like In-N-Out, ordering à la carte with water is often cheaper than the combo.
6. Share large sides and big portions
Some chains give you far more food than one person needs. Five Guys overfills every bag of fries, so one Regular order easily feeds two. A Raising Cane's Caniac Combo with an extra slice of Texas toast can feed two for less than two Box Combos. Casual dining appetizers like the Chili's Triple Dipper are built for sharing.
7. Time your visit
When you eat can matter as much as what you order.
- Lunch specials: sit down chains such as Cheddar's offer weekday lunch specials that cost several dollars less than dinner plates.
- Happy hour: many casual dining chains cut prices on drinks and appetizers in the late afternoon.
- Weekday deals: chains like Outback run deals on specific days, such as Walkabout Wednesday.
Our guide to happy hours and timed deals lists the best times to go.
8. Feed families with bundles, not individual meals
Family bundles almost always beat ordering one meal per person. Pizza chains, fried chicken chains and many casual dining restaurants sell family meals that feed four or more for the price of two or three individual meals. See our roundup of the best family meal deals.
9. Watch out for upgrades and add ons
Small extras add up quickly. Extra cheese, bacon, premium crusts, larger drink sizes and extra sauces can each add a dollar or more. Before you upgrade, ask yourself if you would have ordered it on its own. Free options, such as Five Guys' 15 free toppings or In-N-Out's free grilled onions, are a better way to customize.
10. Compare prices before you go
Because most chains are franchised, prices can vary a lot between locations, even in the same city. Airport, highway and stadium locations often charge 20 to 40 percent more. Checking the app with your nearest store selected, or using a typical price guide like the menu pages on Menu Info, helps you spot when a location is charging more than usual.
How much can you really save?
Here is a realistic example for one person ordering a burger meal once a week:
| How you order | Typical cost per meal | Cost per year (52 meals) |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery app, full price combo | About $18 to $20 | About $940 to $1,040 |
| Counter, full price combo | About $11 to $13 | About $570 to $680 |
| App deal, pickup, water instead of soda | About $7 to $9 | About $360 to $470 |
These are estimates, but they show how the same habit can cost two to three times as much depending on how you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to buy fast food?
Order through the chain's own app, use app deals and rewards, and pick up your order instead of using delivery.
Are fast food apps really cheaper?
Yes. Most chains save their best deals for their apps, and rewards points add up to free food over time.
Why is delivery so expensive?
Delivery apps often mark up menu prices and add delivery fees, service fees and tips, which can add 30 to 50 percent to a small order.
Are combo meals worth it?
Sometimes. If you want the drink and side, combos usually save money. If you would rather have water, ordering items separately can be cheaper.
Which fast food chain has the best value?
It depends on what you want. Little Caesars has the cheapest large pizza, and Chili's 3 for Me offers a full sit down meal from $10.99.
For full menus, current deals and typical prices, browse all restaurant menus on Menu Info. Prices and deals vary by location and change often. Menu Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned.