Here’s How Much 12 Classic Fast-Food Items Used to Cost

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McDonald’s Big Mac

In 1967, when McDonald’s introduced its iconic sandwich, it cost just 45 cents. The price remained about a dollar through much of the 1970s, but it has gone up since. These days, the cost of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun ranges around the world. In the U.S., a Big Mac would set you back anywhere from $3.91 (Mississippi) to $5.31 (Hawaii), according to GoBankingRates.

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Burger King Whopper

Ten years earlier, Burger King released its signature flame-broiled sandwich in Miami, which was the first location of the famous fast-food restaurant. According to the company, the price in ’57 was just 37 cents. Nowadays, a single-patty Whopper could cost you anywhere from $4 and change to $10. Not so hungry? Try a Whopper Junior for about $3 to 4, depending on the location. 

Courtesy The Wendy's Company

Wendy’s Frosty

Since its debut as one of the five original offerings on Wendy’s menu, the Frosty has become ubiquitous with the chain. When Wendy’s first opened in 1969, a Frosty cost just 35 cents. More than 50 years later, a small Classic Frosty will run you anywhere from $1.50 to $3.50, but it usually goes on sale for 99 cents during the summer. 

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Pizza Hut cheese pizza

When college students Dan and Frank Carney opened a pizza place in Kansas in the late 1950s, a large pizza cost only $1.50. Since then, the joint has grown into an international chain and one of the most trusted fast-food restaurants in America. But a large hand-tossed cheese pizza there will set you back about $19.

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McDonald’s fries

When Ray Kroc opened a McDonald’s in Illinois in 1955, the price for fries and soda were each 10 cents, and a burger cost 15 cents. That classic on-the-go meal will run you about $6 today, though McDonald’s typically has some meal deal in place where you could get a double cheeseburger meal plus McNuggets for $5. A small fry is typically around $2, but you could purchase it for as little as a dollar when you order on the app. 

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Subway footlong sub

In 1965, when Fred DeLuca opened the Connecticut sandwich shop that would grow into Subway, a sub started at 49 cents, Entrepreneur reports. For a standard footlong sub, Subway now charges about $10, depending on the location and meat you choose. Sadly, gone are the days of the $5 footlong, but there is currently a promotion for a 6-inch sub, chips and a drink for $7 at select Subway locations. 

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KFC Family Bucket

Col. Sanders and his first franchisee created the Kentucky Fried Chicken Family Bucket in 1957 as a way to give housewives a reprieve, according to the National Museum of American History. The “finger-licking good” meal in the bucket included 15 pieces of chicken, gravy and six hot rolls. The price? $3.50. With inflation, that’s about equal to KFC’s price of about $30 for a 16-piece bucket today. Unfortunately, the modern version comes with sides at an additional cost.

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Dunkin’ donut

In 1948, William Rosenberg opened a restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts, called Open Kettle. He charged 5 cents for a doughnut and 10 cents for a cup of coffee. The restaurant grew into the international Dunkin’ Donuts chain. Today, a doughnut at the newly renamed Dunkin’ will cost you between $1.50 and $4, depending on the location and type of doughnut. 

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Taco Bell Bean Burrito

Entrepreneur Glen Bell took a no-frills approach when he opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California, in 1962. His first franchise opened two years later in Torrance, California. The menu included classics like tacos, burritos, frijoles and tostadas. The restaurant kept the price simple too: Every item cost 19 cents. Today, Taco Bell is still a deal with a soft taco priced at $1.79, and a bean burrito going for $1.89.

Courtesy White Castle

White Castle Slider

When White Castle opened its first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, it charged 5 cents for a pint-sized burger, according to the chain. These days, a plain slider will cost between $1 and $2.

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Dairy Queen Blizzard

Launched in 1985, the Blizzard quickly became a major moneymaker for Dairy Queen. Back then, a 12-ounce Blizzard sold for $1.29, the New York Times reports. Now, a small Blizzard will cost you about $3.69. 

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Starbucks Tall Coffee

OK, we know a tall drip coffee likely isn’t what you’re getting at this coffee chain, especially when the Starbucks menu is changing up its fun drinks season by season. But it is a cost-effective choice. A tall drip coffee will be about $2.50, depending on the location. That’s an increase in price from 1994, when the same cup of joe would have cost you $1.25.

FAQs

Did fast food used to be cheaper?

Yes. Across the board, fast-food items used to be cheaper, but considering many U.S. chains opened in the ’50s, ’60s, ’80s and ’90s, it’s not too surprising that prices have gone up. 

What has caused the prices of fast food items to rise?

The increasing cost of ingredients, labor and rent, along with inflation, has led to a rise in fast food prices. 

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Sources:

• Business Insider: “8 Facts About McDonald’s Hamburgers”
• GoBankingRates: “See How Much McDonald’s Signature Big Mac Costs in Every State”
• Burger King: “65 Fun Facts About the Whopper” 
• Wendy’s: “Wendy’s Treats Fans to $1 Frosty Deal”
• USA Today: “Vanilla Frosty returns to Wendy’s”
• The Daily Meal: “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Pizza Hut Gallery”
• McDonald’s: “McDonald’s Menu With Prices 2025”
• Entrepreneur: “20 Subway Facts That May Surprise You”
• National Museum of American History: “Kentucky Fried Chicken Bucket” 
• Mashed: “This Is Where KFC’s First-Ever Bucket Meal Was Sold”
• Dunkin: “Dunkin’ Donuts History”
• Fast Food Menu Prices
• White Castle: “Our Story”
• The Takeout: “Here’s How Much White Castle’s Hamburger Has Changed Since 1921”
• The New York Times: “Dairy Queen’s Blizzard is hot”
• Krazy Coupon Lady: “Starbucks Drink Prices in 2025”
• Forbes: “What the $5 Cup of Coffee Means for New York City”