Getting Thrifty With Fast Food and Fast Casual

Posted: June 28, 2026 8:15 PM

Rising food prices are affecting everything, making it harder to get a quick meal without breaking your budget. And the time and cost of prepping an entire week of snacks and meals can be daunting or downright unavailable (though we can help make it easier), so here's some ideas on how to get the most out of your next McDonald's trip.

Various fast food apps on a phone screen
1. Get on the apps
Especially nowadays, many fast food places such as Dominos, Taco Bell, or Wendy's have discounts or rewards programs on their apps. If you are a regular at a local spot, it might be worth downloading their app to rack up some savings. They sometimes also give you a free item on your birthday, so be sure to check that out if your special day is on the horizon.
2. Check for free add-ons
Some restaurants, including Chipotle allow you to get extra of toppings like rice or veggies for free. Whether you want to eat the extra now, or save it for another meal, it's a great way to get more for your money.

Photo by Ulysse Poincheval on Unsplash

3. Maximize the harder-to-get items
This is good for getting multiple meals out of your order. If you have a few dollars to spend, but a box of pasta in your pantry as well, it's a smart idea to buy more meat or veggies. This is especially true if you have a place like a buffet nearby that charges by container or weight; a 30 oz. container of shrimp costs a lot more at the grocery store than a same-sized bag of rice. Golden Corral charges by the pound for example.
4. Go iceless
Sometimes restaurants fill bigger cups with ice to avoid giving out more soda. Ask for no ice, which usually has no extra charge, to get more of your drink. It even works with water, since solid ice cubes take up more space. Be sure to keep an eye out for free refills as well, if you're dining in.
Kids meal packages from various fast food places
4. Order from the kid's menu
You don't always want leftovers; especially if you're on the go, they might just sit in your car, and who wants to eat soggy leftover fries after a 9 hour shift? If you find a lot of your fast food orders getting partially thrown out, embrace your inner child and order off the kids menu. It's cheaper, and more economical for your time and budget. And psst! If they don't let adults order off the kid's menu, head to the drive thru instead. Here's some kids eat free promotions to increase your thriftiness!

5. Use coupons
Coupons clipping can be an intimidating process, especially if you're trying to keep track of dozens paper slips. Luckily, the digital age has brought with it digital coupons, and we're here to help you find them. Check out BuyVia's coupon collection for deals at your favorite restaurants.
6. Get student discounts
If you are a college student, or have a child or younger sibling in school, you have a perfect opportunity for a discount. Through a composite website like Student Beans, or through individual companies' websites directly, you can find out what student deals they run. For example IHOP gives you 20% off gift cards with a Student Beans account. Many local spots around schools will also offer discounts, so its a good idea to keep your student ID on you just in case.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

7. Check out the menu in advance
Sometimes companies design menus so that the most eye catching combos aren't the most cost effective. You end up paying for food you didn't want because the Daily Combo was front and center, or all of the cheaper items got moved to the back of the menu. So if you have time, do a quick search of the place's menu before you go. If you don't have the time to compare different options, a quick search online can often yield up people's favorite affordable combos.
8. Stock up on sides and drinks at home
Oftentimes sides and drinks can add a large cost to your meal, even if you're just ordering water. So stock up on bottled water in your car, or buy a family size bag of chips on your next Costco run to avoid those extra costs.
8. Stock up on sides and drinks at home
Oftentimes sides and drinks can add a large cost to your meal, even if you're just ordering water. So stock up on bottled water in your car, or buy a family size bag of chips on your next Costco run to avoid those extra costs.

Photo by Jasmin Schreiber on Unsplash

9. If you have the time, sit down for fast casual
Many fast casual restaurants such as Olive Garden or The Cheesecake Factory offer unlimited bread to sit down customers (usually with purchase of entree). If you're not all that hungry for dinner at the moment, but want a snack, it's still smart to go in; you'll get free bread and can box up the rest of your meal to go.
10. Visit during Happy Hour
Some fast food chains have deals at specific times, usually from around 2-5 PM (when Taco Bell offers $1 Freezes!) Others have special deal days like KFC's $10 Tuesdays. Be sure to look out for these and take full advantage.

Bonus: Value Menus
Here's a quick breakdown of some value menus available at various fast food places. Components of each meal listed, but not what options are available for each component:

McValue® from McDonalds:
- $4 Meal Deals (Breakfast)--Hash Browns, small coffee and a breakfast sandwich
- $5 Meal Deals (Lunch and Dinner)--Small Coca-Cola®, small fry, 4pc chicken nuggets, and sandwich/burger
- Under $3 Menus (Breakfast, and also Lunch and Dinner)--Menu includes many single items such as a medium coffees, sausage burritos, fries, and chicken nuggets
Taco Bell's Luxe Value Menu: 10 items available for under $3 including burritos, melts, and dips
Wendy's assorted value deals
- $5 Biggie® Bites--You could get a drink and sandwich, 8pc nuggets, burger and fries, or a few other combos
- $7 Biggie® Bag--Sandwich/burger, 4pc nuggets, small fry and small soft drink
- $9 Biggie® Bundle--Small fry, small drink, and two sandwiches/burgers
Jack's Munchies Under $4 from Jack in the Box: A bunch of items each priced below $4, including fries, wraps, tacos, burgers, and drinks
Panera Bread's Mix and Match--if you get 2+ of the half sandwich, half salad, salad stuffers, or cups of soup on this menu, they each cost $5.99. *This reduces sandwiches like the Toasted Italiano by $3.20, but Cup of Tomato Soup by just $0.30.