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In the new report released this week, data points show price spikes are on the mend, and the economy is growing. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is still on track to cut interest rates. While these are positive signs, the labor market is now presenting challenges. Dr. Mike Walden, an economist, joins LiveNOW from FOX.
LOS ANGELES - A recent study by FinanceBuzz found the cost of kids' meals at fast food chains has increased significantly over the past decade, with the average price rising by 43%, a figure that outpaces the national inflation rate of 32% during the same period. The study analyzed the price data for kids' meals at 12 major fast food chains between 2014 and 2024.
Chick-fil-A recorded the steepest price hike, with kids meals increasing by an average of 63%, followed closely by Popeyes (62%) and Jack in the Box (61%). These figures are nearly double the national inflation rate and reflect broader trends in rising food costs.
At the other end of the spectrum, Dairy Queen had the most modest increase, with prices going up by only 21%, followed by Wendy’s (24%) and Burger King (28%). These chains have managed to keep price increases below the rate of inflation, making their kids meals relatively more affordable in recent years.
How have kids meal prices changed across fast food chains?
Chick-fil-A, which saw the largest increase in kids meal prices, raised the cost of its meals by 63% on average. A typical kids meal, such as the 2-Count Chik-n-Strips Kid’s Meal, rose from $4.09 in 2014 to $6.79 in 2024, a 66% increase.
Popeyes and Jack in the Box followed closely behind, with price hikes of 62% and 61%, respectively. A sample kids meal from Popeyes, the 1-Piece Tender Kids Meal, went from $3.39 to $5.49 during the same period.
In contrast, Dairy Queen’s 21% price hike was significantly lower, making it the chain with the smallest increase. The price of a Dairy Queen Hot Dog Kids Meal, for instance, increased from $4.29 to $5.19 over the last decade.
What are the factors behind the price increases?
The report points to inflation as a major driver of the rising costs, but it also notes that fast food chains have been grappling with higher food prices, labor shortages, and increased operating costs post-pandemic.
While some chains have been able to keep prices relatively low, others have passed these additional costs on to consumers.
A Happy Meal is displayed for a photograph on a tray at a McDonald's Corp. restaurant in Little Falls, New Jersey, U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. Photographer: Emile Wamsteker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Kids meal prices over the last decade
Chick-fil-A
- 2014 price: $4.06
- 2024 price: $6.63
- Price increase: 63%
- Example: 2-Count Chik-n-Strips Kid’s Meal2014 price: $4.092024 price: $6.79Increase: 66%
- 2014 price: $4.09
- 2024 price: $6.79
- Increase: 66%
Popeyes
- 2014 price: $3.39
- 2024 price: $5.49
- Price increase: 62%
- Example: 1-Piece Tender Kids Meal2014 price: $3.392024 price: $5.49Increase: 62%
- 2014 price: $3.39
- 2024 price: $5.49
- Increase: 62%
Jack in the Box
- 2014 price: $3.39
- 2024 price: $5.44
- Price increase: 61%
- Example: Jr. Cheeseburger2014 price: $3.292024 price: $5.39Increase: 64%
- 2014 price: $3.29
- 2024 price: $5.39
- Increase: 64%
Sonic
- 2014 price: $3.29
- 2024 price: $5.23
- Price increase: 60%
- Example: Corn Dog Wacky Pack2014 price: $3.292024 price: $5.29Increase: 61%
- 2014 price: $3.29
- 2024 price: $5.29
- Increase: 61%
McDonald’s
- 2014 price: $2.74
- 2024 price: $4.29
- Price increase: 57%
- Example: 4-Piece McNugget Happy Meal2014 price: $2.992024 price: $4.59Increase: 54%
- 2014 price: $2.99
- 2024 price: $4.59
- Increase: 54%
Arby’s
- 2014 price: $3.79
- 2024 price: $5.29
- Price increase: 40%
- Example: 4-Piece Chicken Nuggets Kids Meal2014 price: $3.792024 price: $5.29Increase: 40%
- 2014 price: $3.79
- 2024 price: $5.29
- Increase: 40%
Panda Express
- 2014 price: $4.79
- 2024 price: $6.60
- Price increase: 38%
- Example: Panda Cub Meal2014 price: $4.792024 price: $6.60Increase: 38%
- 2014 price: $4.79
- 2024 price: $6.60
- Increase: 38%
Chipotle
- 2014 price: $4.00
- 2024 price: $5.28
- Price increase: 32%
- Example: Kid’s Quesadilla2014 price: $3.752024 price: $4.95Increase: 32%
- 2014 price: $3.75
- 2024 price: $4.95
- Increase: 32%
Culver’s
- 2014 price: $4.99
- 2024 price: $6.51
- Price increase: 30%
- Example: Single ButterBurger Kids Meal2014 price: $4.992024 price: $6.39Increase: 28%
- 2014 price: $4.99
- 2024 price: $6.39
- Increase: 28%
Burger King
- 2014 price: $3.71
- 2024 price: $4.77
- Price increase: 28%
- Example: Cheeseburger King Jr Meal2014 price: $3.592024 price: $4.49Increase: 25%
- 2014 price: $3.59
- 2024 price: $4.49
- Increase: 25%
Wendy’s
- 2014 price: $3.52
- 2024 price: $4.36
- Price increase: 24%
- Example: 4-Piece Kids Meal Nuggets2014 price: $3.692024 price: $4.49Increase: 22%
- 2014 price: $3.69
- 2024 price: $4.49
- Increase: 22%
Dairy Queen
- 2014 price: $4.29
- 2024 price: $5.19
- Price increase: 21%
- Example: Hot Dog Kids Meal2014 price: $4.292024 price: $5.19Increase: 21%
- 2014 price: $4.29
- 2024 price: $5.19
- Increase: 21%