How Much Does It Really Cost to Feed Four People at America's Top Fast-Food Chains?

Planning to take the family out for a quick meal? Be prepared to open your wallet wider than you might expect. Over the past decade, fast-food restaurants across the United States have significantly raised their prices, fundamentally changing what families should budget for a casual dining experience.

The Price Surge Across the Industry

The fast-food landscape has transformed dramatically since 2014. McDonald’s, the world’s largest quick-service restaurant chain, has seen its menu prices double over the past ten years—a staggering 100% average increase across various items. This trend isn’t isolated to a single chain. Taco Bell has experienced an 81% average price jump, with items like the Doritos Locos Taco climbing from $1.39 to $2.59 and the Cheesy Gordita Crunch doubling from $2.49 to $4.99. Even premium fast-casual options like Chipotle have surged 75% on average, with burritos, bowls, and tacos that cost under $6.75 in 2014 now commanding $10.50 or more. Starbucks, while showing the most modest increase at 31%, has still raised prices notably on beverages like the Chai Tea Latte and Mocha Frappuccino.

What Your Average Restaurant Bill for Family of 4 Actually Looks Like

According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 analysis, an average restaurant bill for family of 4 at most fast-food establishments rarely comes in under $30—even at the budget-friendliest options. Here’s what you can realistically expect:

McDonald’s remains one of the more accessible choices, but costs add up quickly. Four Big Macs alone total $15.16 at an average price of $3.79 each. Once you factor in fries and beverages for four people, your average restaurant bill for family of 4 easily surpasses $30.

In-N-Out Burger positions its Double-Double signature burger at $5.30 per unit, making four burgers cost $21.20 before any sides or drinks are added. The total typically exceeds $30 for a complete meal.

Burger King’s Whopper carries a $5.89 price tag, bringing four sandwiches to $23.56 without accounting for sides or beverages.

Popeye’s offers a family meal approach with its eight-piece chicken package that includes a large signature side and four biscuits for approximately $25, though this excludes drinks entirely.

KFC prices a comparable eight-piece chicken meal with two large sides and four biscuits at around $27, again without any beverages included.

Chick-fil-A requires a different calculation since family meal pricing works differently here. Two kids’ meals (nuggets at $6.49 and chicken sandwich at $9.29) combined with two adult meals and fries for everyone totals $40.72 before drinks.

Taco Bell’s Burrito Supreme averages $4.29, so feeding four people with four supreme burritos costs $17.16, with total spending likely exceeding $30 once sides and drinks are included.

Subway rounds out the comparison with foot-long sandwiches averaging $7.99 and six-inch options at $5.69. Two large and two small sandwiches total $27.36 before beverages and sides are factored in.

Planning Your Family Fast-Food Budget

The reality facing families today is clear: the average restaurant bill for family of 4 at mainstream fast-food chains has become substantially more expensive than it was just a decade ago. Whether you’re choosing premium burger chains or value-oriented quick-service restaurants, budget at least $30 per meal for four people, with many establishments pushing bills toward $40 or beyond once drinks and additional sides are included. Understanding these actual costs helps families make more informed decisions about where to spend their food budget in an environment where prices continue climbing.