Have you ever had a long hard day at school or work and suddenly it hits you that you would just like a nice juicy hamburger? You think to yourself, “I would just love a juicy Five Guys burger,” but then you get there and you realize you’re paying TWENTY FOUR DOLLARS for a cheeseburger meal. A recent post by an X user named Wall Street Silver has left social media in disarray as their Cheeseburger meal with fries and a drink came out to be $24 with the burger being $12.49, the drink being $2.89, and a small fry being $5.19. To add on to the price our recent surge in tipping culture had the user add a $2.19 tip to the already high price of the meal. Users online were quoted calling this “highway robbery” and the fries just “a quarter to make”. Only 10 years ago would this same meal have cost roughly $11.37, a price less than ordering just the burger in 2024. The surge in these prices has caused backlash from many and lost a plethora of fast food chain’s usual diners. People are becoming less willing to pay these outrageous prices in an inflated economy, and many wish to take their money to small businesses where they don’t feel ripped off.

So what exactly has caused the surge in outrageous prices in fast food restaurants these past couple of years? While fast food is meant to be a quick and efficient way of spending your money on a meal, the influx of fast food prices has made it a struggle for many people to even go to a fast food restaurant to eat. Fast food prices saw a steady incline during COVID-19, but many believe this would settle down after the crisis went away. That however has not been the case. According to Channel 6 Action News fast food prices have gone up 30% since 2020 and the beginning of Covid. Along with the War in Ukraine, fast food prices have risen to an all-time high and show no signs of stopping. In combatting this Wendy’s has announced they will begin trying “Surge Pricing” where the price of menu items will be determined by how busy the restaurant is at that time. Will this be able to combat the surge in fast food prices, or will it become a luxury only to those who can afford the outrageous prices?