42 Cheapest Fast Food Items To Buy This January

Special Report

Published: January 27, 2024 10:50 am

It probably comes as no surprise that the United States is the world leader in fast-food consumption. The U.S. ranks well ahead of other fast-food-loving nations, such as the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and Austria. One of the main reasons for Americans’ fast food addiction is that, historically, this fare was both convenient and cheap. While the convenience of fast food has certainly increased even more thanks to delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, it is no longer the inexpensive option that it once was. A family of four can easily rack up a $50 tab at a fast-food restaurant. The $50 threshold used to be reserved for nicer “sit-down restaurants.” Not anymore.

We all know that food prices have risen sharply. Grocery bills have risen substantially, but those increases are nowhere near what we see in the fast-food industry today. The menu prices at U.S. fast-food restaurants have increased at almost double the rate of inflation. According to Restaurant Business, fast-food prices in December reflected a 6% increase over the previous year. Overall inflation only rose by 3.1% in that same 12-month period. If it seems like it is a lot more expensive to swing by the drive-thru these days, that’s because it is. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still score a deal at your favorite fast-food restaurant.

We found some of the cheapest items you can purchase at national fast-food chains. Yes, in many cases, the prices of these items may be a bit higher than you remember, but they are still quite affordable compared to most items on America’s fast-food menus. (If you want to check out the opposite end of the spectrum, here’s a list of the 16 most expensive fast food items to buy this January.)

Creating the List

Restaurant worker serving two fast food meals with smile. woman holding tray with salads at fast food restaurant — We surveyed dozens of fast food menus to create this list of inexpensive fast food items.

To compile this list of the cheapest fast food items this month, 24/7 Wall St. consulted the online menus of some of the largest fast food chains in the U.S. We only focused on single items from each franchise. Combo meals, kids meals, and other multi-item options were not considered for this list. We also only evaluated standard menu entrées and sides. Customized or “secret menu” items were not included in our survey.

Desserts and beverages were also not included, although there are some great deals available. For example, you can grab a black coffee (any size) from Burger King for just a buck. A chocolate chip cookie from McDonalds is only 89¢. Other chains offer similar deals, as well. However, we focused solely on entrées and sides in this survey.

The prices listed are accurate as of January 2024 but are subject to change. Prices may also vary depending on your location.

Sides

French fries cooking — Do you want fries with that? Of course, you do!

Here’s a look at the cheapest fries, chips, and other side items at many of the biggest fast-food chains in the U.S.

21. Domino’s

Item: Melty 3-Cheese Loaded Tots
Price: $6.99

20. Papa John’s

Item: Garlic Knots
Price: $6.99

19. Pizza Hut

Item: Fries (Straight-Cut, Cajun Style Seasoned, Lemon Pepper Seasoned)
Price: $3.49

18. Dairy Queen

Item: Fries (regular)
Price: $2.99

17. Hardee’s

Hardees by Michael Steeber from USA — The natural-cut fries are a popular side item at Hardee’s.

Items: Fries (small)
Price: $2.59

16. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A fries — If you don’t order waffle fries, do you even Chick-fil-A?

Item: Waffle Fries (small)
Price: $2.19

15. Panda Express

Items: Chicken Egg Roll, Veggie Spring Roll, Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 count)
Price: $2

14. Arby’s

Arbys curly fries by Mike Mozart — Got two bucks? You can score an order of Arby’s famous curly fries.

Items: Curly or Crinkle-Cut Fries (small)
Price: $1.99

13. Jimmy John’s

Jimmy Chips by Ser Amantio di Nicolao — $2 = a bag of Jimmy Chips. A tasty equation, indeed.

Item: Jimmy Chips
Price: $1.99

12. McDonald’s

McDonald's fries — If you weren’t thinking about McDonald’s fries before…you are now.

Item: Fries (small)
Price: $1.99

11. Sonic

Item: Soft Pretzel Twist
Price: $1.99

10. Wendy’s

Wendys fries — Wendy’s natural-cut fries are an inexpensive addition to your order. And if you want to dip them in your Frosty, we won’t judge.

Item: Fries (small)
Price: $1.99

9. Chipotle

Chipotle chips — Getting your fix of Chipotle’s house-made chips won’t cost you much.

Item: Chips
Price: $1.85

8. Jersey Mike’s

Jersey Mikes Subs by Michael Rivera — You can add a bag of chips to your sandwich for less than two bucks at Jersey Mike’s.

Item: Chips
Price: $1.79

7. Subway

Item: Lay’s Potato Chips
Price: $1.59

6. Taco Bell

Taco Bell sign — A side of black beans is an affordable complement to your Taco Bell meal.

Item: Black Beans
Price: $1.59

5. Burger King

Burger King cheesy tots by BrokenSphere — Burger King’s cheesy tots are the cheapest side item on the menu. (The price below is for a four-piece order.)

Item: Cheesy Tots (4 piece)
Price: $1.49

4. Jack in the Box

Item: White Rice
Price: $1.30

3. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen

Popeyes biscuit by Willis Lam — A biscuit from Popeye’s costs just over a buck.

Item: Biscuit
Price: $1.29

2. Kentucky Fried Chicken

KFC biscuit by Willis Lam — A KFC biscuit is a dime cheaper than Popeye’s, so you won’t have to spend much to decide which franchise can claim biscuit superiority.

Item: Biscuit
Price: $1.19

1. Panera

Panera restaurant — Adding a bag of chips to your Panera order is surprisingly inexpensive, considering the franchise’s rather pricey menu.

Item: Chips
Price: 89¢

Entrées

Big hamburger on white background — Even with today’s high prices, you can still score some rather inexpensive burgers, chicken nuggets, and other entrées if you know where to look.

We surveyed the same fast-food chains for their cheapest entrées. Here’s what we found.

21. Papa John’s

Obviously the chain is most famous for its pizza, but you can get six bone-in wings from Papa John’s for under eight bucks.

Item: Traditional Wings (6 pieces)
Price: $7.99

20. Domino’s

Dominos by Michael Barera — The sandwiches at Domino’s are the cheapest entrées on the menu.

Items: Sandwiches (wide variety)
Price: $6.99

19. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen

Item: Big Box
Price: $6.99

18. Jersey Mike’s

Jersey Shores Favorite at Jersey Mikes provolone ham and cappacuolo by Ser Amantio di Nicolao — The mini sub version of the Jersey Shore’s Favorite is one of three subs available for $6.65 at Jersey Mike’s.

Item: Mini Sub (Jersey Shore’s Favorite, Ham and Provolone, The Veggie)
Price: $6.65

17. Panera

Items: Classic Grilled Cheese (half), Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich (half)
Price: $6.59

16. Subway

Item: Veggie Delite (six inch)
Price: $6.29

15. Panda Express

Panda Express orange chicken by Willis Lam — You can score a small Orange Chicken and many other à la carte items for just over five bucks at Panda Express.

Item: Numerous Small Items
Price: $5.20

14. Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut personal pan pizza by Willis Lam — Remember Pizza Hut’s personal pan pizza from your childhood? You can still order it today.

Item: Personal Pan Pizza (cheese)
Price: $4.99

13. Chick-fil-A

Item: Chicken Filet (no bun)
Price: $4.84

12. Jimmy John’s

Jimmy Johns by Kzoo Cowboy — Does Robin Hood order the Little John when he visits Jimmy John’s? **thinking face emoji**

Item: Little John (7 different varieties)
Price: $4.49

11. Chipotle

Exterior - Chipotle Mexican Gr... by Aranami — The tacos at Chipotle are the cheapest entrées on what can be a rather expensive menu.

Item: One Taco (Sofritas, Veggie)
Price: $3.30

10. Kentucky Fried Chicken

KFC by Harrison Keely — KFC is far from the cheapest fast-food chain, but the Chicken Little Sandwich is a pretty good deal.

Item: Chicken Little Sandwich
Price: $2.99

9. Hardee’s

Hardees by JJBers — A meal at Hardee’s doesn’t have to cost a lot thanks to these wraps.

Items: Chicken Tender Wraps (Spicy, Ranch, Honey Mustard)
Price: $2.89

8. Dairy Queen

Item: Classic Hot Dog
Price: $2.79

7. Jack in the Box

Wrapped Jack In The Box Jr Jumbo Jack by Willis Lam — The Jr. Jumbo Jack is a tasty bargain at Jack in the Box.

Item: Jr. Jumbo Jack
Price: $2.39

6. McDonald’s

311-365 McDonalds McChicken by Elsie Hui — The McChicken sandwich has been one of the best deals under the Golden Arches for a long time. It’s nice to know that some things never change.

Items: McChicken Sandwich, McNuggets (4 pieces)
Price: $2.09

5. Arby’s

An Arby's Restaurant In Dawsonville, Georgia — In case you haven’t heard, Arby’s has the meats. And some of those meats are available on these inexpensive sliders.

Item: Slider (Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Roast Beef, Jalapeño Roast Beef)
Price: $1.99

4. Sonic

Sonic by Mike Mozart — The quarter-pound double cheeseburger at Sonic is on a limited time deal this month. It is one of the best bargains we found in our entire survey.

Item: Quarter-Pound Double Cheeseburger
Price: $1.99

3. Burger King

Burger King chicken nuggets by Willis Lam — Chicken nuggets are the cheapest entrée on Burger King’s menu. (The price below is for four nuggets.)

Item: Chicken Nuggets (4 pieces)
Price: $1.59

2. Wendy’s

Item: Jr. Hamburger
Price: $1.49

1. Taco Bell

Item: Cheesy Roll Up
Price: $1

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Read more: Special Report, burger, cheeseburger, fries, hamburger, McDonalds, meals, Pizza, restaurant, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Food

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42 Cheapest Fast Food Items To Buy This January

Creating the List

Sides

21. Domino’s

20. Papa John’s

19. Pizza Hut

18. Dairy Queen

17. Hardee’s

16. Chick-fil-A

15. Panda Express

14. Arby’s

13. Jimmy John’s

12. McDonald’s

11. Sonic

10. Wendy’s

9. Chipotle

8. Jersey Mike’s

7. Subway

6. Taco Bell

5. Burger King

4. Jack in the Box

3. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen

2. Kentucky Fried Chicken

1. Panera

Entrées

21. Papa John’s

20. Domino’s

19. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen

18. Jersey Mike’s

17. Panera

16. Subway

15. Panda Express

14. Pizza Hut

13. Chick-fil-A

12. Jimmy John’s

11. Chipotle

10. Kentucky Fried Chicken

9. Hardee’s

8. Dairy Queen

7. Jack in the Box

6. McDonald’s

5. Arby’s

4. Sonic

3. Burger King

2. Wendy’s

1. Taco Bell

It’s Your Money, Your Future—Own It (sponsor)

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