For decades, fast food has been America’s common denominator.
No matter if you were rich or poor or somewhere in the middle, you could always count on a quick, cheap meal at a burger joint, fried chicken restaurant or taco shop.
Today, fast-food is still – fast. However, many argue it is no longer cheap.
According to data collected by FinanceBuzz , fast-food menu prices have risen between 39% and 100% over the past decade, outpacing inflation. McDonald’s prices have doubled; Popeyes is up 86% and Taco Bell prices have climbed by 81%.
Inflation, meanwhile, has risen 31% since 2014, the financial news outlet reported.
In many fast-food establishments, ordering a meal deal typically costs over $10, sometimes even approaching $20. As a result, an unexpected trend has emerged; more grown-up patrons are choosing children’s menus instead.
According to industry research firm Circana , the number of children’s meals placed by adults was up 28% in 2024 compared with 2019. Another data point, as The Wall Street Journal mentions , is that Yelp reviews for kids’ meals were higher in December 2024 than any month since 2019.
“It’s satisfying, cheaper, less calories, and sometimes there’s a little prize or treat,” C.J. Person, a retired teacher in North Carolina, told the Journal.
Can grown-ups officially order children’s portions? Generally, no. Although many eateries impose an age restriction for these deals, such rules are seldom put into practice.
A significant contributor to this shift could be the surge in popularity of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs decelerate digestion, making individuals feel satiated for extended periods. This effect might be pushing adults As reported by the Journal, moving towards smaller portion sizes.
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