McDonald’s has increased menu prices by more than 100% over the past decade, and the increase is more than three times the U.S. inflation rate, according to the study.
The Chicago-based burger giant has faced complaints from customers over its eye-watering prices, including $18 for a Big Mac meal in Connecticut, $7.29 for an Egg McMuffin and $5.69 for a side of hash browns. has been done.
Currently, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese costs $11.99. This is more than double his $5.39 in 2014. According to research by FinanceBuzzquoted national average prices.
A McDouble sandwich, which averaged $1.19 in 2014, is now nearly triple that price to $3.19, and medium fries have dropped from $1.59 to $3.79.
The average price of the iconic Big Mac, a McDonald’s staple, has increased 50% over the past decade, from $3.99 in 2014 to $5.99 today.
According to analysis by FinanceBuzz, McDonald’s is one of 13 restaurants over the past decade that has increased menu prices by an average of 60% from 2014 to 2024, which is nearly double the national cumulative inflation rate of 31% over this period. Equivalent to double.
McDonald’s, which tripled the inflation rate, was the biggest offender, according to FinanceBuzz, but the study found Popeyes, Taco Bell, Chipotle and Jimmy John’s hiked menu prices to more than double the actual inflation rate. did.
Meanwhile, Subway and Starbucks have kept their prices relatively in line with inflation, increasing the cost of menu items by an average of 39%, according to Finance Buzz.
At McDonald’s, a $10.99 combo that includes 10 pieces of McNuggets, fries and a drink is now 83% more expensive than it was 10 years ago, when it cost just $5.99.
Oreo McFlurry prices are nearly double what they were 10 years ago. This sweet treat now costs $4.49, compared to $2.39 in 2014.
The newspaper has contacted McDonald’s and other restaurants for comment.
FinanceBuzz said it used data on restaurant prices from websites such as ItsYummi.com, FastFoodMenuPrices.com and MenuWith Price.com. We also collected prices for 10 menu items from each restaurant in 2014, 2019, and this year. FinanceBuzz said it then cross-referenced each restaurant’s official website.
Inflation rates are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ CPI inflation calculator and were collected in January 2024.
FinanceBuzz notes that because “McDonald’s franchisees are given a high level of autonomy to set menu prices for their individual locations,” “it is difficult to obtain accurate historical data and compare it to the present.” He admitted that it was difficult.
According to FinanceBuzz, “As such, our team collected additional historical data points related to McDonald’s and applied certain adjustments to the final data to create a reasonable picture of long-term national price trends across the chain. I created an expression.”
McDonald’s has acknowledged in recent weeks that its menu is becoming increasingly unaffordable for Americans suffering from soaring inflation.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in February that inflation would force the fast-food chain to raise menu prices.
Kempczinski also acknowledged that eating out at McDonald’s is becoming a luxury that fewer people can afford.
“Eating at home has become more affordable,” Kempczinski said. “The battleground is certainly low-income consumers.”
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new minimum wage bill raising the hourly wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour. Some McDonald’s franchisees claim this development has forced them to further raise prices on menu items.
