Arby's One-ups Burger King and McDonald's Value Meal With a Delicious Sweet Addition

With inflation straining Americans' wallets, luxuries like fast food are becoming harder to justify. Now, major chains are starting to respond.

Following reports of McDonald's inflation-driven price hikes, the chain introduced a limited-time $5 value meal. Once McDonald's made the move, its competitors quickly followed suit. Burger King, McDonald's long-time rival, is the latest to join the fray. But how do these deals compare, and which offers the best value?

Adding to the mix, Arby's has launched its own discounted combo. For a limited time this month, Arby's is offering the $9.99 Shake Up Your Burger Meal, available exclusively online at participating locations. 

This meal includes a Deluxe Burger with a thick patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and burger sauce on a toasted brioche bun. It also comes with medium fries — curly or crinkle — and a regular shake with flavors like Chocolate, Orange Cream, Jamocha, or Vanilla.

Considering that the burger alone costs $7.99 in California, medium fries are $3.49, and a regular shake is $3.99, this combo represents a significant savings.

With these new deals from McDonald's, Burger King, and Arby's, we break down which offers help stretch your fast food budget.

A recent study determined that fast food prices surged exorbitantly in the last 10 years. While the national inflation rate is 31%, many fast-food chains have raised prices even higher than "necessary." 

In fact, the study determined that McDonald's prices surged over 100%.

So corporate did what they do best: They came up with a band-aid solution. Currently, the chain is dangling a $5 value meal over consumers' heads. The meal includes the choice between a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink.

And considering the McNugget Happy Meal is $4.99, this is a "steal." The promotion is set to officially last throughout June. 

Leaning on their long-time slogan, Burger recently announced their "Have It Your Way" $5 value meal.

In a bid to one-up McD's, Burger King's value meal offer includes a choice of three sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink — a close rival to Arby's, but without the value-add of a milkshake. The deal will also start before McDonald's launches and will last for several months longer.

It's an interesting move, considering Burger King's price increases are marginally lower. According to the aforementioned recent study, "the average cost for Burger King menu items has risen by 'just' 55%" since 2014.

Of course, McDonald's and Burger King aren't the only ones vying for people's money. Even competitors like Wendy's and Arby's are getting in on the value offers. Recently, this chain announced that it would be offering a $3 breakfast value meal. Customers can choose between a bacon, egg, and cheese English muffin, a sausage, egg, and cheese English muffin, and a side of small seasoned potatoes. 

This is an effort to rectify some of the public image damage done by the alleged "surge pricing" Wendy's was accused of in April. 

Arby's value meal is pricier than some competitors at $9.99 — but it does include a burger, fries, and a shake. Arby's offering is also exclusively available for online ordering. 

When it comes down to it, the influx of new value meals is an excellent thing for cash-strapped American wallets. While we think Burger King's value meal is the current champion of the value meal wars, competitors like Arby's, McDonald's, and even Wendy's are all duking it out in the battle for affordable fast food.

Will you be hitting up a drive-thru soon to take advantage of the savings?