Price Hikes & Value Pushback Across Chains

Chains respond to $15-20 meals with under-$5 options. Notable: Arby's $1.99 sliders, Popeyes $5 Faves, Domino's 50% off pizzas through Aug 2, Chipotle's 2.2% comp growth with Honey Chicken. Consumer sentiment: 80% see fast food as luxury. Wendy's $1 Frosty, KFC $4.99 Country Fried Steak, and many LTOs. New WSJ report confirms value menus are shrinking as chains prioritize margins — counter-narrative to $5 deals hype.