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.
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable).
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Taste of KFC 2-Piece Deal: 39% savings
/images/2025/04/15/kfc-meal-deal.jpg)
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.
Pizza Hut My Hut Box: 43% savings
/images/2025/04/15/pizza-hut-my-hut-box.jpg)
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.
McDonald's $5 Meal Deal: 50% savings
/images/2025/04/15/mcdonalds-5-meal-deal.jpg)
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.
Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks
A company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019, and has over 50,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.
Sign up here to see how much you could earn.
Wendy's Biggie Bag: 53% savings
/images/2025/04/15/wendys-biggie-bag.jpg)
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.
Taco Bell Luxe Cravings Box: 55% savings
/images/2025/04/15/taco-bell-luxe-cravings-box.jpg)
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.
Trending Stories
Bottom line
/images/2024/08/15/showing-mobile-phone-and-money-adobe.jpg)
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.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Learn how to make an extra $200
Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.