Earlier this month, Waffle House announced it was ending a recent surcharge on eggs, reflecting a broader shift among American chain restaurants toward easing menu prices and rolling back extra fees. In our current cost-conscious environment, fast food giants have responded with renewed value offerings to attract everyday diners. But is this effort really worth it, and how can you find the best deals out there?
Believe it or not, numerous chains have unveiled menu price reductions or value-styled promotions in 2025. These strategies aim to combat high food costs, inflation concerns, and competition from both premium and fast-casual brands. And these are the restaurant brands actually lowering their prices in the U.S.
247 Tempo spotlights chains with recently reduced prices, eliminated surcharges, or new value-focused menu items. Sources include People, New York Post, Business Insider, Restaurant Business Online, and more, providing a comprehensive view of what’s really going on behind the scenes of your favorite casual dining options.
Waffle House – Egg Surcharge Removed
Waffle House removed its 50¢ per-egg surcharge in July 2025 after wholesale egg prices fell significantly. This surcharge, introduced during the 2025 bird flu egg shortage, affected breakfast orders nationwide, sparking backlash and complaints. With egg costs stabilizing, the chain eliminated the fee across its 2,000+ locations.
McDonald’s – $5 Meal Deal and BOGO
McDonald’s extended its popular $5 Meal Deal into 2025 and added a ‘Buy One, Add One for $1’ offer on select items, particularly breakfast. The extended value menu aims to bring back budget-conscious diners, drive traffic, and maintain consumer loyalty. The move signals a major chain embracing affordability as a core strategy, something McDonald’s has strayed from in recent past.
&pizza – Flat $12 Pizza Pricing
While a relatively limited chain, &pizza announced a new streamlined pricing scheme: every pizza is now $12, regardless of toppings. The chain also slashed side prices: knots are now $6, cookies $1, and canned drinks starting at $2. This flattening of menu costs was designed to rebuild trust after customers voiced concerns over hidden extras.
Taco Bell – Reinforced Value Menu
Taco Bell continued promoting its Dollar Cravings and Cravings Value Menu in 2025, maintaining $1 and $2 price points. App-based value offers and combo upgrades are other great ways to save. This emphasis on low-cost items keeps the chain accessible to younger and budget-conscious customers, something this brand has been known for for decades.
Wendy’s – No Surge Pricing, Value Focused
Wendy’s abandoned their plans for dynamic pricing and instead chose to emphasize an all-day value menu anchored by $1 and $2 items. The chain reaffirmed its commitment to value-tier pricing and strengthening customer trust. Its prioritization of consistency in pricing over experimental models seems to be paying off.
Burger King – $5 Your Way
Burger King kept its $5 Your Way Meal option into 2025, continuing to offer customizable sandwiches, fries, and nuggets. The chain recently reported higher average check values through these value-pack promotions. Offering a consistent value menu helps offset inflation, allowing this fast food fave to retain budget consumers.
Chick-fil-A – Value Bowl and Sandwich Discounts
Chick-fil-A introduced a unique $5 value bowl meal and discounted breakfast sandwiches in selected markets. This revamp of its value lineup targets midday and breakfast traffic, a rare niche for this brand. Additionally, the move indicates Chick-fil-A is placing value at the center of its pricing strategy, across multiple meals and consumers.
Subway – Revived $5 Footlong
Subway brought back the $5 Footlong promotion in 2025 on select menu options. This classic deal appeals to shoppers looking for value amid rising grocery costs, especially consumers who are familiar with the deal. Subway seeks to reinforce affordability in its fast-casual positioning, despite its recent announcement of multiple location closures.
KFC – $5 Fill Up Box
KFC updated its $5 Fill Up Box deal with new options and permanent price retention on boxes that include chicken, sides, and a drink at a set value price. By securing price stability, KFC ensures families can budget more easily on these staple meals.
Popeyes – $5 Feast Boxes
Much like its competitor, KFC, Popeyes extended its $5 Feast Box into 2025, packaging chicken, sides, and a biscuit at a set, predictable price. The deal offers value and variety, boosts order sizes and ticket averages. Popeyes aims to keep its price/value ratio competitive, especially in light of other popular chicken brand announcements.
Domino’s – Mix & Match Value Menu
Domino’s continues its Mix & Match value menu with two items for $7.99 or $10.99 bundles in 2025. The menu encourages larger orders at fixed prices, locking in value. In doing so, Domino’s offsets inflation-driven price hikes, achieving a pricing strategy that supports balanced spending alongside customer expectations.
Panera – Value-Paired Soups & Sandwiches
Panera expanded its pick-2 combos, offering soup, salad, or a half sandwich for roughly $10, depending on location. This bundled value model supports midday affordability, with lunchtime comprising Panera’s largest customer base. The value meal dipped in purchases during inflation, but returned stronger in 2025.
Chipotle – $5 Digital Rewards
Chipotle launched a $5 digital-only Burrito Bowl reward for loyalty program members in 2025. The offer encourages app engagement and return visits; consistent discounts on digital orders prevail across multiple fast food brands. Chipotle drives repeat behavior without altering its menu prices broadly.
Dunkin’ – $5 Everyday Value Box
Dunkin’ rolled out a $5 Everyday Value Box in 2025, featuring a sandwich, donut, and small coffee. The boxed meal addresses breakfast crowd expectations through a convenient, fixed-price option for busy mornings. Dunkin’ maintains its status as an economic mainstay for regulars and new customers alike.
Starbucks – $3 Value Drinks
Another morning time favorite, Starbucks added $3 value-sized iced coffees and teas to its 2025 menu as daily deals. The chain aims to combat spending fatigue with these budget-friendly beverages; from a business perspective, this move offsets high latte prices by offering lower-cost alternatives. Starbucks maintains brand loyalty while adjusting to consumer demand.
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