Every Fast-Food Value Meal, Ranked from Worst Deal to Best

Value meals get their name because they actually provide some additional value instead of just buying the items à la carte.

You can usually save money eating out by choosing the meal deal. That usually includes a sandwich, a side, and a drink.

So are some deals better than others? Check out this list to see if your favorite deal made the cut and which one was a dud based on data collected by Finance Buzz.

Editor's note: Prices in the FinanceBuzz study are based on the average cost of an item. They are subject to change and may vary by location.

You don't need a large amount of food to make a meal deal. Take the Taste of KFC 2-Piece Deal, for example, which features a drumstick and thigh of dark meat as well as a bowl of mashed potatoes and a biscuit.

The meal costs $4.99. You would pay $8.20 if you bought each item on its own.

Of course Pizza Hut has pizza in a value meal with My Hut Box. The value meal offers a choice of a two-topping Personal Pan Pizza or a Melts item from the Pizza Hut menu, fries or a four-piece order of boneless wings.

Grab a Pizza Hut box for $6.99 to help you save cash. When purchased separately, the meal will cost $12.29.

Like some other meals surveyed by FinanceBuzz, the price is in the name of the deal. The McDonald's $5 Meal Deal includes a McDouble sandwich or McChicken sandwich, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink.

Pick up a meal deal for $5, just as the name says, instead of $9.96 for each item on its own.

Wendy's is also offering a Wendy's $5 Biggie Bag with a choice of either a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich plus a four-piece Chicken Nuggets, Jr. Hot & Crispy Fries, and a small drink.

It's a bargain when it would cost $10.75 to buy each item separately.

The Taco Bell Luxe Cravings Box is stacked with plenty of options, including a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, chips with nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.

The box costs $7, but that's a steal compared with the à la carte cost: a whopping $15.65.

Value meals are a good way to save money when you go to a fast-food place. You can also save money by taking advantage of coupons, a loyalty program, or your favorite store's mobile app.

If you really want to save money, though, you may be able to recreate some of these value meals in your kitchen. Following ways to save money on groceries instead of eating out will always leave more money in your wallet.