Why Fast Food Has Gotten So Expensive

Prices at limited-service restaurants including Wendy's, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A and Chipotle have increased more over the past decade than both full-service restaurants and overall inflation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts say rising labor costs are the main culprit. McDonald's underwhelming first-quarter 2024 earnings results are one example of a fast-food giant feeling the repercussions of its soaring prices. Watch the video to learn more.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
4:30 Rising costs
6:05 Looking ahead

Produced and Shot by: Ryan Baker
Camera by: Natalie Rice
Edited by: Evan Lee Miller
Animation: Jason Reginato and Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Senior Managing Producer: Tala Hadavi
Additional Footage: Getty Images, Burger King, Chili’s, Subway

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Connect with CNBC News Online

#CNBC

Why Fast Food Has Gotten So Expensive

[aimeelee]

I love how they keep saying that WAGES are the big reason for the price increases but then fail to mention record corporate profits. We see you, CNBC.

[slaction]

The real issue is that it's just not worth it. The fast food places were never actually great, they were just cheap. When you take cheap away there is zero reason to ever go there.

[aftersolo]

I just quit going. Problem solved. That garbage food is not necessary to anyone.

[DavidSeymourofficial]

"Pay no mind to the RECORD corporate profits and BILLIONS we spend in ceo bonuses and stock buybacks, kids! The problem is YOU and your darn $2 wage increases!"

[Carnerd]

"It's totally not corporate greed, leading to record profits..." says the corporate news conglomerate.

[TheInfiniteEnd]

I'm sorry, using California's minimum wage laws to justify why my east coast McDonalds charges more than Olive Garden for a meal is ridiculous. We're not that stupid.

[rmcnally]

Literally, the kid working the register at our local McDonalds specifically said "this place is the most expensive McDonalds in (our city)...they pay us the same as the other places, so I dont know why. We're always busy."

It isn't wages. I see you, corporate media.

[MoMotivation]

Paying luxury prices for crap is laughable

[spotlight]

Don’t eat that crap. Your heart will thank you.

[BitSmythe]

*Skyrocketing prices has saved me I lot of money. I eat at home a whole lot more.*

[franciscovlzqz]

Moral of the story, you can only increase prices so much until you've taken yourself out of business.

[erijahc]

Solution? STOP BUYING. Let's see if they don't lower their prices after that.

[waynetompkins]

Meanwhile, the McDonald's ice cream machine is still broken.

[sturner]

Another reason why people shouldn't be eating that unhealthy stuff anyway

[ArnaudMEURET]

To the people complaining: don’t go there! The consumer drives the price in this type of market. Refuse!

[BigSneed]

They'll keep raising prices so long as you keep buying.

[crossfire_corvetter]

Made a roast fed 2 adults 2 children 17 bucks, now mc donalds, 37 bucks, yeah I'll cook from home

[nathanb]

It’s not worth it anymore. Grocery prices fluctuate. Once fast food goes up it stays up. They overstepped.

[ridinreiners]

The best way to combat fast food prices is to boycott. The bonus is you’ll live longer.

[patrickahaus]

The collapse of fast food is a blessing to our health and budget. Greed has destroyed the simple operation of McDonald's that prided it self on "quality, service and value". You took sloppy food and tried to make a Starbucks style with upscale restaurant design. Now you can shutter them all.