Fast Food Price Hikes & Value Pushback
Key Questions
What value deals are available at major fast-food chains this summer?
Chains are pushing under-$5 options such as Arby's $1.99 sliders, Popeyes $5 Faves Menu, and Burger King's $2.50 Whopper Jr. National Ice Cream Day deals and French Fry Day promotions are also running across multiple brands.
What is Wendy's doing for National Ice Cream Day?
Wendy's is bringing back the $1 small Classic Frosty from July 20 through August 23. Additional ice cream deals are available at Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's, and other chains.
What new items are Popeyes adding to its value menu?
Popeyes is adding 8-piece Butterfly Shrimp in four flavors and reviving cheesy bites to its $5 Faves Menu. The president noted that frequent LTOs have hurt core guests.
What complaints are customers raising about fast-food pricing?
Viral posts highlight meals costing $18–$24 at chains like Burger King and Five Guys, prompting consumer fatigue. Chili's roast of a BK Bacon King meal gained over 5.8 million views.
What limited-time promotions is Burger King running?
Burger King launched Loaded Jalapeño and Club Original Chicken Sandwiches on July 7, plus Pickle Fries as an LTO. It is also testing flame-grilled chicken in California.
What is Chick-fil-A offering for its 80th anniversary?
Chick-fil-A is bringing back Cow Appreciation Day on July 14 for free entrees with cow attire. Changes planned for 2026 include frosted sodas as permanent items and mac and cheese for kids.
What new menu items are Costco and Carl's Jr. introducing?
Costco is rolling out baked chicken tenders for $6.99 nationally with mixed reviews. Carl's Jr. is offering an 85-cent Double Cheeseburger through July 8 for its 85th anniversary.
Which chains have BOGO or free-item promotions this month?
Insomnia Cookies offers BOGO Happy Hour weekdays through July 30, Subway has BOGO Footlongs, and Craveworthy Brands is running a free-item day July 14 across 14 chains.
Chains responding to $15-20 meals with under-$5 options. New value plays: Arby's $1.99 sliders and Cheesesteak Happy Hour, Jimmy John's Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap ($6.79), Popeyes $5 Faves Menu (adding butterfly shrimp and reviving cheesy bites — president admits LTOs hurt core guests), Jack in the Box Hot Ones collab, Burger King July 4th $2.50 Whopper Jr. plus Firecracker Cookie Pie. BK launched two new Original Chicken Sandwich LTOs (Loaded Jalapeño and Club) on July 7, and Pickle Fries as LTO side. BK testing flame-grilled chicken again (California only). Fourth of July deals: Sonic $2.50 menu, BK $2.50 Whopper Jr., Krispy Kreme free doughnut, Freddy's $2.50 hot dog and concrete, Starbucks deals, KFC $15 bucket, Steak 'n Shake $17.76 Liberty Meals, Dunkin' Eagle Cup. In-N-Out 44-gram protein burger; opening 6 new locations. Consumer sentiment shifting to affordable quality (In-N-Out, Culver's). Chili's viral roast of BK's $18.19 Bacon King meal (5.8M+ views). National French Fry Day deals (July 10) from McDonald's, Wendy's, Smashburger, Chick-fil-A. Craveworthy Brands free-item day July 14 across 14 chains. Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day July 14 — free entree for wearing cow attire, back after 7 years for 80th anniversary. Weekly deals: 7-Eleven Slurpee Day, Arby's BOGO, Cinnabon World Cup promo, Domino's $9.99 pizza, DQ free Dilly Bar, Shake Shack free chicken sandwich Sunday, Subway BOGO Footlongs, Insomnia Cookies BOGO Happy Hour (2-5 PM weekdays through July 30). Dad's Chick-fil-A hack: 30 nuggets + buttered buns feeds 5 for under $45. Chick-fil-A's Honey Pepper Pimento Sandwich returned but disappointing (6/10). Carl's Jr. (Hardee's) dropping Double Decker Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Pepper Jack and 'Make it Firey' option. Viral Chipotle $5 steak bowl hack. Popeyes reviving cheesy bites and adding butterfly shrimp to $5 Faves. BK testing flame-grilled chicken in California. KFC bringing back Popcorn Chicken July 13 as LTO after 3-year absence. Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day July 14. Chick-fil-A 2026 changes: 80th anniversary, frosted sodas permanent, mac and cheese as kids' entree, playground upgrades. Costco food court chicken tenders (baked, $6.99) rolling out nationally. Buffalo Wild Wings launching Poppin' Ranch. Olive Garden Pasta Pass selling out today. Applebee's wonton tacos. Pizza Hut throwback value menu — $10 stuffed crust, $3 personal pan, S'mores Sticks, streetwear collab. Papa Johns stuffed crust. Wendy's $1 Frosty. Panera Sip Club changes. Five Guys ordering hacks. Freddy's eyeing Portland expansion. New: Five Guys $24 meal receipt goes viral, reinforcing consumer fatigue with premium fast-casual pricing. New: Carl's Jr. offering 85-cent Double Cheeseburger for 85th anniversary (through July 8, app required). New: Costco chicken strips ($6.99) now rolling out nationally after tests — mixed reviews, sauce compared to honey mustard. New: Wendy's bringing back $1 Frosty for summer (app early access, National Ice Cream Day July 19). New: National Ice Cream Day deals (July 19) from Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's, Halo Top, etc. — roundup of 30+ chains. Minor: Del Taco's Double Del Cheeseburger ranked third among fast food cheeseburgers by Tasting Table.