The best fast food meals by price-performance ratio

Fast food chains are competing this year to try and lure customers back with affordable meals amid a revolt against high prices. But with so much variety now available, it’s hard to know which meals offer the best value for money.

Therefore, FinanceBuzz evaluated the limited-time offers from major chains based on their actual value compared to the regularly priced menu items to find out which ones offer the best value for money:

According to an analysis by FinanceBuzz, Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings Box offers the most affordable offering from the major fast-food chains to hit the market in recent months. (Mike Kemp/In pictures via Getty Images / Getty Images)

1. Taco Bell Luxe Cravings Box

Yummy! The brand’s own Taco Bell secured the top spot with its Luxe Cravings Box, a $7 combo offering that includes a Chalupa Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a Double Stacked Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.

FinanceBuzz found that the total price of these items purchased separately from the menu is $15.65, meaning customers save $8.65 by combining them, or 55% off the regular price.

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“When it comes to affordable meals that give consumers the best actual valueBundling is key,” says Josh Koebert, researcher at FinanceBuzz and author of the study. “By packing many smaller or simple dishes into a single combo meal and reducing the menu price of each individual dish, chains can really create huge savings for their customers.”

Koebert told FOX Business the Luxe Cravings Box is the best example of this, pointing out that the offer includes five different menu items, compared to four at McDonald’s and Burger King. However, he noted that both restaurants still have great deals.

2. Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag

Second place in the list of best deals went to Wendy’s with its $5 Biggie Big, which includes your choice of a Crispy Chicken Sandwich or a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, plus 4 chicken nuggets, Junior Fries, a small drink and a small Frosty.

At regular menu price, the cost of these individual items would be $10.75 if sold individually, but with the bundle, customers save 53%.

3. McDonald’s $5 meal deal

McDonald’s $5 meal plan offers the third best value in the fast-food war, a new analysis has found. (Sebastian Ng/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Third on the list is fast food giant McDonald’s with its own $5 deal that includes the choice of a McChicken or McDouble, 4 Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small drink.

Sold individually, these items cost $9.96, but the savings offer cuts the price in half.

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4. Pizza Hut My Hatbox

Pizza Hut, another Yum! Brands company, came in fourth place with its My Hut Box, a value-priced $6.99 meal that includes a choice of a Personal Pan Pizza with two toppings or a half-order of Melts, plus a portion of French fries or four boneless chicken wings.

With this offer, customers save $5.30 or 43% off the regular menu price.

5. Burger King: $5 menu of your choice

Burger King’s $5 “Your Way Meal” ranked fifth on the list of cheapest fast food meals. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Rounding out the top 5 is Burger King with its $5-Your-Way Meal, which includes the customer’s choice of a Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger as well as 4 Chicken Nuggets, Value Fries and a Value Drink.

Purchased individually, these items would cost $8.66, but the offer gives customers a 42% discount.

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“Another important aspect of these deals is an easily digestible price,” Koebert said. “The value menu items from Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC all cost around $5, which is a nice, round amount that most consumers will consider a reasonable price for a complete meal.”

He added: “Overall, smart bundling and pricing strategies have created tremendous value for consumers that was much needed in the fast food space.”