Fast-food prices have been frustrating customers for months, and a recent Fox Business segment circulating on social media highlighted how sharply menu costs have climbed at McDonald’s over the past five years.
The segment compared 2019 prices with those in 2024, noting that a medium French fries order that once cost $1.79 now runs $4.19. Host Charles Payne said a cheeseburger had risen 215%, jumping from $1.00 to $3.15. Other increases included a McChicken moving from $1.29 to $3.89, a Big Mac from $3.99 to $7.49, and 10 McNuggets from $4.49 to $7.58. The jumps far outpace typical inflation and have renewed questions about whether fast food still qualifies as an affordable option.
McDonald’s Price Increases from 2019 to 2024:
— MatrixMysteries (@MatrixMysteries) November 19, 2025
Medium French Fry $1.79 -> $4.19
McChicken $1.29 -> $3.89
Big Mac $3.99 -> $7.49
10 McNuggets $4.49 -> $7.58
Cheeseburger $1.00 -> $3.15
Some of this is over a 200% increase in price. This isn’t inflation — it’s legalized robbery. pic.twitter.com/jCwVRcO9gu
Neil Dutta, head of U.S. economics at Renaissance Macro Research, said the broader economic picture is driving much of the shift. He noted that prices can only rise so much before customers change their behavior and suggested that point may be nearing. He also said the labor market is cooling and that slowing wage gains are likely to affect fast-food customers more than the price hikes themselves.
The trend aligns with industry data showing that chains such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Chipotle have raised menu prices faster than full-service restaurants in recent years. Fast-food prices jumped nearly 28% between 2019 and 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—compared with 24% for sit-down restaurants and 19% overall inflation. By early 2024, the average fast-food bill reached $18, up 4.5% from the previous year. Rising labor, food, packaging, and transportation costs remain major drivers.
The Fox Business discussion also touched on public sentiment. Payne asked if negative economic news could influence how people view their own spending. Dutta said consumer expectations shifted quickly this year, with early optimism giving way to downgraded growth forecasts, which can shape how people spend.
The price jumps come as many consumers already feel squeezed. Social-media posts show customers rethinking fast food, saying it no longer feels like a cheap or convenient choice. Analysts report that lower-income households are cutting back most, visiting less frequently even if overall spending stays similar. Major chains have been pushing app-based deals and loyalty programs to maintain traffic without lowering menu prices.
The debate sparked by the viral comparison reflects growing tension between rising costs and public expectations, leaving open the question of how long fast food can remain an everyday purchase for many Americans.
