Kennedy: Comparing $5 meals at McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King

Staff photo by Mark Kennedy. / The $5 Biggie Bag at Wendy's is one of several $5 value meals being offered at fast-food restaurants this fall. Pricing is in response to customers complaining about price hikes in recent years. Staff photo by Mark Kennedy. / The $5 Biggie Bag at Wendy's is one of several $5 value meals being offered at fast-food restaurants this fall. Pricing is in response to customers complaining about price hikes in recent years.

By Mark Kennedy October 5, 2024 5 min read

A couple of times a week, I see the Golden Arches on the horizon and start to salivate. Or I catch a whiff of the flame broiler at Burger King, and my truck automatically turns into the drive-thru lane.

Before you judge me for my eating habits — which you are entitled to do — I’m 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weigh 153 pounds. I could actually use a little more meat on my bones.

Recently, my fast-food habit has been curbed by inflation. Reports of a $17.59 Big Mac combo meal at a rest stop in Connecticut almost sent me over the edge.

Thankfully, and correctly, the big burger chains are looking for redemption after a season of bad press about their price hikes. So now we have competing $5 meals at places such as Wendy’s, McDonald’s and Burger King.