Fast food is known for convenience and affordability, but not all chains stick to the budget-friendly script. Some have prices that seem to outpace what you're getting on your tray. Whether it's due to brand prestige, ingredient sourcing, or menu innovation, here are 10 chains where the price might just outweigh the fast food expectation.
Table of Contents
- 1. Chipotle
- 2. Jamba Juice
- 3. Burger King
- 4. Panera
- 5. Subway
- 6. Five Guys
- 7. KFC
- 8. Airport Food
- 9. Jimmy Johns
- 10. Jack in the Box
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1. Chipotle
The internet forum seems a little divided on this one, and it seems to depend on just how generous your local Chipotle store is. "Portions are shrinking so fast at the Chipotle near me, but if you can find one that still has generous portions, it is amazing," says one poster. Another says, "Hey man, Chipotle is still a fine deal. You can get a fat burrito for ten bucks if you know how to order it."
2. Jamba Juice
As one commenter said, "A smoothie should not cost upwards of $10." Apparently, the initial concept of Jamba Juice when it first opened in 1990 was that "eating better should be easy." However, it makes it challenging for your wallet when it's that expensive.
3. Burger King
When Burger King opened in 1954, you could grab a burger and shake for 18 cents. Today, a medium combo with a Whopper, fries, and a drink will set you back almost $10. One forum member believes it's worse than just the prices, saying, "It used to be one of my top choices, but now it's terrible — the food, the service, and store cleanliness."
4. Panera
In 1987, a San Franciscan sourdough starter helped raise a small bakery, the St. Louis Bread Company. It eventually became Panera and has changed hands several times since. Some people believe it doesn't live up to the hype anymore. One person says, "Early to mid-2000s was the golden Panera years. It's 100% garbage nowadays, which is such a shame."
5. Subway
When a 17-year-old Fred DeLuca decided to go into business with a family friend Dr. Peter Buck in 1965 to form a sub sandwich shop that "served freshly-made, customizable and affordable sandwiches," they couldn't have imagined how incredibly popular it would become. Nowadays, it's not that affordable. The last time I bought a footlong, it was $11 for bread with cheese, avocado, and salad.
6. Five Guys
This burger joint first appeared in the late 80s in Vermont and began franchising in the early 2000s. They pride themselves on using fresh, not frozen, ingredients, but does that justify the price tag? "The last time I was at 5 Guys, it was filthy, and this one teenager clearly didn't want to work. All I thought was, 'Great. I just paid $16 for a burger and fries, and they're reluctant to make it.'"
7. KFC
Thousands of KFC restaurants worldwide bear the likeness of its founder, Colonel Sanders, on red and white signs. It undoubtedly has a fan following for its crispy fried chicken with 11 herbs and spices.
One poster says, "Since the Colonel died, it has gone steadily downhill. He had his way of doing things and maintained standards. I heard that he would randomly drop in on KFCs when he was alive, and if he didn't like what he saw or ate, he would pull their franchise." Sanders died in 1980.
8. Airport Food
Airports have consumers at a disadvantage. You're hungry but have nowhere else to go, so you either pay what they're asking or wait.
Unfortunately, eateries at airports must pay a premium to operate there, which drives prices up. "Paying $3 more for the same thing than elsewhere is a ripoff. You aren't paying for more or better food; you're paying more because you are a captive market with no choice," says one contributor.
9. Jimmy Johns
When Jimmy decided on the sandwich business instead of joining the military in 1983, he probably didn't foresee almost 3k locations and $2 billion in sales is the norm.
While it may have been an excellent sandwich joint in the past, one individual says, "Their quality dropped dramatically this past year." The poster also went on to say that the company had also dropped wages expecting employees of the fast-food place to rely on tips.
10. Jack in the Box
While one person suggested that Jack in the Box was cheaper than other fast-food eateries, another says, "Jack in the Box went from $5 combos to $12 combos in three years." That's an increase of 140% — is it really worth it?
Source: Reddit.
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