5 Top Tips to Navigate Rising Fast Food Prices

I'm about to take a road trip from my home in the mild South to the wintry North to visit family for the holidays. My family makes the long drive in one day, which means multiple stops for food and thus, eating some meals at fast food restaurants.

I have my own preference for a certain fried chicken location that's closed on Sundays, but we often stop wherever it's convenient. And while any trip to a fast food restaurant provides a typically predictable experience, the total cost of a fast food meal has recently become unexpected.

Fast food prices have jumped 29% since 2019, easily outpacing inflation. Add it to the list of higher prices eating into Americans' personal finances. The result is traffic at fast-food restaurants was down 2.5% in October, and more than half of customers say they had "sticker shock" when looking at fast food prices, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.

And some restaurants are still raising prices. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said recently that a new wage law in California that raises the minimum wage for fast food workers means the restaurant chain will increase prices in the state.

If you've noticed your own budget being stretched when eating at fast food restaurants, here are a few tips to navigate the sky-high prices.

1. Plan ahead to find deals

The rapid rise in fast food costs may mean you need to think more about a trip to your go-to fast food restaurant than you used to.

You don't have to cut out these meals, but you may want to plan them out a little more. Lots of fast food locations offer weekly deals you can take advantage of. For example, my kids love Papa John's pizza, and the chain has special carry-out deals, which saves about $5 off the cost of a pizza.

2. Use fast food apps to earn rewards

I used to go to Starbucks a lot and easily earned drink rewards through the store's app. My family uses the Chik-fil-A app when we take our kids there, and we've earned free sandwiches and drinks.

Using an app for each of your favorite fast-food restaurants could help you quickly earn rewards points and get some food for free.

3. Order one item instead of a meal

Getting a combo meal isn't always the best deal. If you order just a sandwich or burger and then combine it with your own chips and drink from home, you can likely save a few extra dollars.

I've done this before if I'm craving something specific, but don't want the fries or whatever side comes with it. Sometimes it can even be cheaper to get two main course items -- and no sides or drink -- than getting a combo meal.

4. Set a budget

This suggestion goes for any type of spending, but having a specific budget for your monthly fast-food spending can keep your finances on track.

Just like you would for any other spending category, designate a specific amount you can spend on fast food and keep track of the costs throughout the month to ensure you stay within your limit.

5. Sign up to receive special deals

Some fast food restaurants will give insiders special deals for their birthdays or at random times throughout the year. You'll likely have to give some personal information to them, like your email address, but many will return the favor with the occasional discount.

Of course, eating at home is a great way to reduce food costs as well, but the above tips will help you save a little money when you're craving your favorite fries. Because the ones made at home in the air fryer aren't the same. I've tried.