15 Most Affordable Chain Restaurants in America

Arguably, the best way to stretch your eating out budget is to dine at restaurants that offer the best deals on meals. Fortunately for chain restaurant aficionados, plenty of eateries have great prices on everyday items or value menus.

The following outlets offer some of the most affordable meals in America, based on where you can get the cheapest full meal for one to two people. We’ll explain the best deals, followed by notable highlights you can expect at each restaurant, from least to most affordable.

Editor’s Note: Prices may vary based on location.

The Chili’s 3 For Me promotion lets you order an appetizer, an entree, and a fountain drink for $10.99. Appetizers include soup, salad, or chips and salsa, and entrees (which come with French fries) include burgers, chicken sandwiches, or chicken strips.

Premium options are available for an upcharge.

On its standard menu, Panda Express offers a bowl that comes with a base (rice, noodles, or vegetables) and your choice of chicken or beef (with flavors such as orange chicken or Beijing beef) for $8.50. Bundle it with a drink for $10.50.

A medium à la carte chow mein just costs $4.60.

The Really Big Meal Deal is Applebee’s current discount option, which starts at $9.99 per person. It includes a fried or grilled chicken sandwich or classic burger (with or without bacon or cheese), French fries, and a fountain drink.

Or you can score two entrees and an appetizer (or two salads) for just $25.

Pizza Hut’s Deal Lover’s menu has a wide variety of options for $7 each when you order two. Start with one medium 1-topping pizza (hello, leftovers), then select from sandwiches, wings, pasta, and more.

Add two fountain drinks for $2.89 each for a total of $9.89 per diner.

Thanks to Denny’s $2-4-6-8 value menu, you can enjoy the Everyday Value Slam for $6, which comes with two eggs, bacon strips or sausage links, and a choice between pancakes, French toast, or biscuits and gravy. Or opt for all-you-can-eat pancakes.

If you want dessert, a slice of cheesecake is only $4 more. Fountain drinks are $3.59.

Del Taco’s most basic meal — two tacos, fries, and a soft drink — costs $9.39.

They also have a wide variety of equally affordable options, like mini quesadillas for $1.29, nachos for $2.19, and beef burritos for $4.49 if you want to build an a la carte order.

Arguably the winner of the famed chicken sandwich wars, Popeyes will fill you up for only $9. Their three-piece chicken combo comes with your choice of light or dark meat, a side like red beans and rice or mashed potatoes, and a fountain drink.

The famous chicken sandwich by itself costs $4.99.

For those who dine out in pairs, KFC has a five-piece chicken combo meal for $15, or $7.50 per person. You can get breasts and wings or drumsticks and thighs, along with two biscuits and two sides such as mashed potatoes.

Top it all off with a fountain drink.

McDonald’s is famous for its value deals. The current iteration on their menu is buy one, get one for $1. Options include the double cheeseburger, McChicken, six-piece nugget, and small fries.

The cheeseburger costs $4.19, and the second option (say, fries) makes it $5.19. Add a small fountain drink for approximately $2.23 and your total is $7.42.

Burger King’s latest special is the $5 duo or $7 trio, the latter a true full meal.

Customize the combo you want from three of the following: Whopper Junior, bacon cheeseburger, chicken sandwich, eight-piece chicken fries, medium fries, or a medium fountain drink.

The most affordable full meal on Little Caesars’ menu is their $6.49 lunch combo, which includes four pieces of Detroit-style pepperoni pizza and a 20-ounce bottle of soda.

Another option is their Stuffed Crazy Crust Combo with a full-size pizza, Crazy Bread, and a two-liter bottle of soda for $15.99—about $8 per person.

You can get a large pepperoni (or other topping) pizza from Domino’s for $7.99, which is likely enough food for two or more people. Two bottles of soda or water run $4.98, for a grand total of $12.79.

That comes out to $6.49 per person.

Starting at $5 you can score a full meal at Taco Bell, thanks to their Luxe Boxes. The Classic Luxe Box comes with a beef burrito, crunchy taco, cinnamon twists, and a fountain drink.

Swap out the cinnamon twists for a chicken chalupa and chips with cheese for $7. Or build your own for $6.79.

Five dollars is all you need to get a complete lunch or dinner at Wendy’s, courtesy of their $5 Biggie Bag. Inside, you’ll find either a crispy chicken sandwich or a junior bacon cheeseburger, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a fountain drink.

You may be able to get a Frosty as well depending on how you order.

The Costco food court is by far the cheapest chain restaurant where you can score a full meal. That’s thanks to the iconic hot dog combo, which consists of a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog and a 20-ounce fountain drink.

The cost today and likely forever? $1.50 as it has been since it first appeared on the menu.

Dining out on cheap eats is a great way to avoid wasting money while still enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Every restaurant on this list has affordable options that ensure your appetite will be satiated.

Pro tip: You can save even more money if you download the app for your favorite chain restaurants. In almost all cases, you’ll score coupons, discounts, flash savings, and even the occasional freebie.