Fast-food chains are competing to offer cheaper meals. From McDonald's to Del Taco, here are the best deals.
- Del Taco is the latest chain to offer a new lower-price combo deal.
- Meanwhile, fast-food giant McDonald's is set to extend its $5 value deal past the month.
The fast food wars are heating up.
McDonald's, which launched its $5 value deal at the end of June, is set to extend the limited-time offer past July, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
Many fast-food chains have launched their own value deals. In July, Del Taco became the latest chain to release a revamped value deal, offering 15 items at $2 and under.
It joins chains like Taco Bell and Burger King in offering new lower-priced deals as customers seek more value in the face of rising fast-food prices.
Prices have remained high since the pandemic when chains raised their menu prices in response to soaring food and labor costs. It's led some customers to order smaller portions or to start cooking more at home.
To get diners back, fast-food and restaurant chains are launching more value deals. So, how do the other offers stack up?
McDonald's
McDonald's launched its $5 offering at the end of June. It includes a choice between two of the chain's signature burgers — a McChicken or a McDouble — and a four-piece McNuggets, fries, and a drink.
It was initially only on offer for four weeks, but many stores will extend the offer, with some stores making it available through August, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg.
McDonald's did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Data from Placer.ai suggested that the offer worked immediately after McDonald's introduced it, with foot traffic 8% higher on the Tuesday launch day than the 2024 Tuesday average to that point.
Burger King
Burger King also has a limited-time value offer, the "$5 Your Way Meal." It includes a choice between a Whopper Jr., Bacon Cheeseburger, and Chicken Jr., alongside fries, four-piece chicken nuggets, and a soft drink, all for $5.
This deal is set to run for several months, Bloomberg reported.
Del Taco
In July, Del Taco announced its "Real Deal" menu, which includes 15 items priced at $2 and under. The chain has added new items, such as snack-sized chips and fresh guacamole, to the deal.
The $2 and under menu also includes burritos, tacos, and cheesy nachos.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has its own value deal: the $7 Luxe Craving Box, which includes a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, alongside chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.
The limited-time deal gives customers a 55% discount off typical menu prices, the company said.
Earlier this year, Taco Bell overhauled its Cravings Value Menu by adding six new "meal-sized" items to the menu, which features items under $3.
Wendy's
Other chains are expanding their existing meal deals. Wendy's has announced that it's adding to its $3 breakfast deal for a limited time. Customers can pair a small portion of seasoned potatoes with a choice between two breakfast muffins — a bacon, egg, and cheese English muffin or a sausage, egg, and cheese English muffin, the company said.
Starbucks
Restaurant chains are also getting in on the action. Starbucks launched new $5 and $6 breakfast combos in June.
As part of this new "pairings menu," customers can get a 12-ounce iced or hot coffee or tea paired with a butter croissant from $5, or with a breakfast sandwich from $6.
Chili's
Casual dining chains like Chili's are also rolling out more deals and portion sizes to capture some of fast-food's lost diners.
Chili's launched its new Big Smasher burger earlier this year — the burger starts at around $12.99 when ordered its own, but comes down to $10.99 when part of the chain's "3 For Me" meal combo. The cheaper deals hope to capture those diners looking for value as fast-food prices creep up toward restaurant chain prices.