McDonald’s has jacked up its menu prices by more than 100% over the course of the last decade — more than three times the rate of US inflation, according to a research report.
The Chicago-based burger giant has been slammed with customer complaints over eye-popping prices, including $18 for a Big Mac meal in Connecticut as well as $7.29 for an Egg McMuffin and $5.69 for a side of hash browns.
Now, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal goes for $11.99 — more than double the $5.39 it cost in 2014, according to a study by FinanceBuzz, which cited average prices nationwide.
The McDouble sandwich, which in 2014 cost on average $1.19, now costs almost three times that amount — $3.19 — while a medium fries has seen its price point go from $1.59 to $3.79.
The iconic Big Mac, a staple of McDonald’s menus, has seen its average price rise by 50% in the last 10 years — from $3.99 in 2014 to $5.99 today.
The analysis by FinanceBuzz found that McDonald’s was one of 13 restaurants that have raised menu prices in the last decade by 60% on average between 2014 and 2024 — or nearly double the cumulative national rate of inflation of 31% over that period.
While McDonald’s was the worst offender — tripling the rate of inflation, according to FinanceBuzz — Popeyes, Taco Bell, Chipotle and Jimmy John’s raised the prices of their menu items at more than double the actual inflation rate, the study found.
Subway and Starbucks, meanwhile, have kept their prices relatively in line with inflation, raised the cost of their menu items by 39% on average, according to FinanceBuzz.
At McDonald’s, a 10-piece McNugget meal, the $10.99 combo which includes french fries and a drink, is now 83% more expensive than it was a decade ago, when it cost just $5.99.
An Oreo McFlurry now costs almost twice what it did 10 years ago. The sweet treat would have set you back $2.39 in 2014 — compared to $4.49 today.
The Post has sought comment from McDonald’s and the other restaurants.
FinanceBuzz said it used data on restaurant prices sourced from web sites such as ItsYummi.com, FastFoodMenuPrices.com and MenuWith Price.com. It also collected prices for 10 menu items from each restaurant in 2014, 2019, and this year. FinanceBuzz said it then cross-referenced with 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 acknowledged that it is “difficult to accurately source historical data to compare to the present” since “McDonald’s franchisees are given a high level of autonomy in setting menu prices for individual locations.”
“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 representation of national pricing trends over time for the chain,” according to FinanceBuzz.
McDonald’s has admitted in recent weeks that its menu is increasingly out of reach for those Americans who are struggling under the weight of soaring levels of inflation.
In February, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said inflation would compel the fast food chain to raise menu prices.
Kempczinski also admitted that dining out at McDonald’s was becoming a luxury that fewer people could afford.
“Eating at home has become more affordable,” Kempczinski said. “The battleground is certainly with that low-income consumer.”
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a new minimum wage measure that raises hourly pay for fast food workers to $20 an hour — a development that some McDonald’s franchisees say has forced them to further hike menu items.
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