Many people believe that drive-thru meals are automatically cheaper than sit-down restaurants. However, as of 2026, fast-food meals can range from $12 to $20, while prices vary across different franchises. According to information from chilis.com, Five Guys and other sources, some fast-food meals rivals sit-down restaurants in price, so we’ll look at some examples so you can make a better choice next time!
Five Guys Cheeseburger, Fries, and a Drink
Five Guys offers a prime example of how a fast-food meals order can cost nearly the same as a dish at a casual dining restaurant. A cheeseburger costs around $11.99, plus regular fries at about $6.49 and a fountain drink for around $3.49, bringing the total cost of the meal to $22. When you consider that Chili’s offers a burger, a drink, and a starter on its ‘3 For Me’ menu for $10.99, you might think twice about your choice.
Jersey Mike’s Regular Sub Meal
According to Jersey Mike’s official menu, a regular Jersey Mike’s sub plus chips and a fountain drink currently costs about $14 to $18 in many markets, though the price varies depending on the sandwich you choose. When compared to sandwiches ordered at sit-down restaurants, plus chips and a drink, these fast-food meals fall into the same price range as full-service lunch entrées.
Burger King Texas Whopper Meal
Depending on which Burger King menu you look at, you can find low prices, but also premium options that rival the cost of a sit-down restaurant. As of September 2026, according to the official Burger King menu, a medium Texas Whopper meal costs around $13. This makes one of these fast-food meals a tempting alternative to the Chili’s ‘3 For Me’ menu, especially since the latter also includes a drink and an appetizer.
McDonald’s Big Mac, Fries, and a Coke
One of the most well-known fast-food meals in the United States may not necessarily be the cheapest: the McDonald’s Big Mac meal, including fries and a medium coke, averages $11.47. In contrast, the Big Mac on its own costs about $5.99 in September 2026. The McDonald’s combo is priced higher than the $10.99 Chili’s meal consisting of an entrée, appetizer, and drink.
Wendy’s Baconator Meal
A standalone Baconator burger costs around $8.59 at Wendy’s. If you turn it into a combo, you could end up paying between $12 and $15. That same amount could cover an entry-level ‘3 For Me’ meal at Chili’s, where you get more food, thanks to the additional starter, and table service is included. These fast-food meals can therefore approach the price of a casual-dining option.
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Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich Meal
Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwiches are quite affordable, but if you want to upgrade your meal to a deluxe or specialty sandwich, complete with waffle fries and a drink, the price moves into the low-to-mid range. Chick-fil-A Deluxe sandwich typically costs between $5 to $8 for the sandwich alone. One of these fast-food meals at this chain can reach $12 to $15, an amount that could also pay for a burger at a casual dining restaurant.
Shake Shack Burger, Fries, and a Shake
When you order a burger, fries, and a shake at Shake Shack, the price comes close to that of a sit-down restaurant. One of these fast-food meals gives you a choice between paying for counter service or opt for a traditional burger at a casual restaurant, where burger sizes may vary.
Chipotle Burrito with Guacamole and a Drink
The standard chicken burritos at the fast-food chain Chipotle remain reasonably priced. However, if you are the type of customer who adds steak, guacamole, cheese, and a drink, the cost could jump from $9.80 to $15. You would be turning one of these ordinary fast-food meals into a premium one, in terms of costs, just for a bit of guacamole and a beverage. With this type of fast food order, you need to consider the base price alongside the add-ons offered on the menu.
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Subway Footlong Meal
According to the official Subway menu, a full meal built around a footlong premium steak, chicken, or ‘Loaded Subway Series’ sandwich can approach $15 to $18. That is a double-digit price tag for the meal alone, not counting chips or drinks. For the same price, you could buy a burger, sandwich, quesadilla, or pasta lunch at many casual dining chains, making some fast-food meals comparable in price.
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar Meal
Arby’s Classic Beef ‘n Cheddar is a typical fast-food example, though adding fries and a drink can push the cost of the meal over $10. If you opt for a larger or double version, the price rises further, approaching the cost of a casual-dining dish. When you factor in Arby’s premium sandwiches and upgraded sides, the bill can easily exceed $12. In comparison, Chili’s offers a much more affordable menu in that regard.
Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, Fries, and Extras
If you compare Popeyes with Chili’s basic menus offerings, the latter offers cheaper menu options. The current cost of a standard Popeyes chicken sandwich meal, with Cajun fries and a biscuit, is around $10.37 for the medium size. If you add an extra side, a premium drink, or a larger chicken portion, the price goes over $12. A basic Chili’s meal listed at $10.99 would therefore be slightly more expensive than one of the $10.37 Popeyes fast-food meals, if those prices apply in the same market.
Panera Pick Two-style Meal Outside the Value Menu
Panera is a fast-casual restaurant where a meal consisting of a sandwich and a soup or salad from the regular menu can be as expensive as a meal at a sit-down restaurant. In 2026, the company launched a ‘Mix & Match’ menu priced at $4.99 per item, meaning a meal could cost $9.98 if two items are combined. Panera’s strategy highlights an effort by fast-casual restaurants to lower prices relative to casual-dining competitors.
Conclusion
The key takeaway is that not all fast-food meals have become as expensive as what you might order at a sit-down restaurant. Indeed, when fast-food chains run promotions, their prices remain far lower. However, certain upsized combos and specific items can certainly be comparable to or even more expensive than premium burgers or sandwiches at full-service restaurants.
