Introduction
The cost of eating out has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and 2022 is no exception. In fact, many popular burger chains have raised their prices significantly in the past year. From fast-food giants to regional favorites, here are seven burger chains that have raised their prices the most in 2022. We’ll look at the reasons behind the price hikes, as well as how much prices have increased. We’ll also discuss how customers have reacted to the price increases and what the future may hold for these burger chains.
7 Burger Chains That Raised Their Prices the Most in 2022
The cost of eating out has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and 2022 is no exception. Many popular burger chains have raised their prices significantly, making it more expensive to enjoy a burger and fries. Here are seven burger chains that have raised their prices the most in 2022.
1. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the most popular burger chains in the world, and it has raised its prices significantly in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its Big Mac by 10%, and its Quarter Pounder with Cheese by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its Happy Meals and other menu items.
2. Burger King
Burger King is another popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its Whopper by 8%, and its Double Whopper by 10%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its Chicken Fries and Onion Rings.
3. Wendy’s
Wendy’s is another popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its Baconator by 10%, and its Double Stack by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its Frosty and French Fries.
4. Shake Shack
Shake Shack is a popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its ShackBurger by 10%, and its Double ShackBurger by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its shakes and fries.
5. Five Guys
Five Guys is another popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its Bacon Cheeseburger by 10%, and its Double Bacon Cheeseburger by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its fries and milkshakes.
6. In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger is a popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its Double-Double by 10%, and its Cheeseburger by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its fries and shakes.
7. Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is another popular burger chain that has raised its prices in 2022. The chain has increased the cost of its SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger by 10%, and its SuperSONIC Double Cheeseburger by 8%. The chain has also raised the prices of its other menu items, including its tater tots and shakes.
These seven burger chains have all raised their prices significantly in 2022, making it more expensive to enjoy a burger and fries. However, these chains are still popular and offer a variety of menu items that are sure to satisfy any burger craving.
According to data from QSR Magazine, fast-food menu prices in America rose by an average of 8% throughout the course of 2022. That rise is enough to have driven some people away from burger chains, but many actually saw an increase in sales for restaurants that raised prices.
While profit is always the goal of any business, most fast-food price hikes in recent quarters have been more about avoiding loss than about dramatically increasing revenues. Supply chain issues still linger and with inflation on the rise worldwide, it was inevitable that fast-food and chain restaurant prices would increase
That said, the amount that prices went up at some burger chains is still surprising. No, it’s not your imagination, your Whopper, Dave’s Double, and Big Mac really did cost a lot more in 2022 than they did in 2021.
Here are 7 burger chains that raised prices the most in 2022.
According to the financial website Money Geek, Burger King was the burger chain that saw the most dramatic price increase of all the major chains, with a 21% increase when prices are averaged out in more than three dozen major markets. A meal that cost $6.76 at BK in 2021, cost $8.18 in 2022, for reference.
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A close second behind Burger King’s price increases in 2022 was America’s second-largest fast-food chain in terms of sales: Wendy’s. Per Money Geek, Wendy’s saw price increases of 18.9% in 2022 as supply chain issues lingered and inflation raged. Wendy’s was also found to be the most expensive among McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chick-fil-A.
According to Restaurant Dive, McDonald’s hit customers with an approximate 10% price hike when you compare year-over-year prices for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2022, the most recent period for which complete data is available. And there’s always a chance prices will edge up more in Q4, as well.
Though known for low prices—as in two tacos for just 99 cents—Jack in the Box notably raised its pricing in 2022. According to Money Geek, the chain implemented price increases averaging 15.6% system-wide, which is a notable increase in what customers were compelled to shell out for burgers, sandwiches, Munchie Meals, and more.
Five Guys has always been one of the more expensive fast-food chains around, and hardly all that “fast” of a restaurant anyway. That noted customers were still outraged as prices at the burger chain ballooned over the course of 2022—even the cheapest normal-sized hamburger there now costs more than $10, and that’s sans fries, a drink, or anything else.
Shake Shack increased its menu prices in very controlled ways in 2022, according to Restaurant Dive. It raised prices on some menu items by as much as 10%, but on others increased rates by as little as 2%, following a general 3.5% price increase in the early spring. Watch out for more but smaller increases in Shake Shack prices next year, too.
Smashburger did increase prices in 2022, but only by single-digit percentages and not on every menu item. The chain kept its price hikes lower than others, according to Yahoo, by being highly efficient in supply chain logistics and corporate staffing management.
Steven John