Restaurant Chains and Fast Food Places with the Best Food Deals

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As food prices reach an all-time high worldwide, consumers are trying to find ways to feed their families at an affordable price.
Fortunately, many chain restaurants across the country — both sit-down and fast food — are offering food specials and family meal deals to help make mealtime less of a burden on your wallet.
So, what restaurants have the best deals right now? Here are some of our favorite U.S. chain restaurant food deals.

Best Fast Food Restaurant Deals

We know fast food isn’t the healthiest option, but it is inexpensive and efficient. If you’re looking to drive through your nearest fast food restaurant in search of cheap deals, here are our recommendations on where to get the best deals.

1. McDonald’s

Credit: McDonald’s

Take advantage of the $1, $2, or $3 value menu items. Value menu items include breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, a burger, chicken sandwich, fries, and several beverages. McDonald’s also offers monthly exclusive specials such as $0.99 for any size coffee, free fry and drink with purchase of sandwich, $1 large fry, etc. Check McDonald’s Exclusive Deals page on the website to learn about this month’s deals.
McDonald’s also offers free medium fries on Fridays with any $1 minimum purchase if you order through the app.

2. Burger King

Burger King also offers deals that vary depending on your location. Type in your location on the store locater and click “offers” to see what’s currently available at your nearest restaurant.
Offers can vary by location, but may include deals such as:

• Free medium fries or iced coffee with a minimum $1 purchase
• $1 large onion rings or large fry
• $3 Whopper or Impossible Whopper
• $7.99 Chicken Sandwich Meal for 2 (includes 2 sandwiches, 2 small fries, 2 soft drinks)

3. Wendy’s

Credit: Wendy’s

Visit Wendy’s offers and coupons website to view current deals. When you download their mobile app, you can also find irresistible deals, including $1 burgers. You can also receive half-off breakfast if ordering through the mobile app.
Additional deals include:

• $2 Off Any Premium Combo
• $3 Off a Mobile Order of $15 or More
• Buy One Premium Chicken Sandwich, Get One for $1
• Free Large Fries with a $10 Purchase

There are also a variety of value meal deals such as:

• $5 Bacon Double Stack Biggie Bag
• Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger 4 for $4 Meal
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich 4 for $4 Meal
• Jr. Cheeseburger 4 for $4 Meal
• 2 Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, 2 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers, and 4 Small Fries Meal for the Whole Family

Not only does Wendy’s offer deals on the mobile app, but deals are offered on the website and coupons may even arrive in your mailbox, too.

4. Arby’s

Sign up for Arby’s email list and you can get 50% off any sandwich on your next order. Not fond of joining email lists? No worries. Arby’s offers great deals without strings attached.
Arby’s offers a 2 for $ Everyday Value meal that includes 2 meals for $6 total. You can usually choose between the Classic Roast Beef, Crispy Fish Sandwich or Spicy Fish Sandwich. But the selection of sandwiches can change throughout the year and may vary based on location.

5. Taco Bell

Credit: Taco Bell

Taco Bell has long been known as one of the cheapest fast-food restaurants. A basic soft- or hard-shell taco costs less than $1.50 each, meaning you can stock up on countless tacos at an affordable price. To save yourself the trouble of ordering several tacos individually, you could opt for a party pack or meal for two ranging from $10 to $19.99.
Taco Bell does offer online exclusive offers and a value menu that offers individual items for $1 or $2 or a classic combo for $5.
But let’s not forget:

• The $5 My Cravings Box where you can build your own box with your choice of taco or burrito, a side and a drink.
• You can get free Doritos Locos Tacos when you join the Taco Bell Rewards program or buy one, get one free crunchy taco every Tuesday through March if you order on the app.
• You can also purchase a Taco Lover’s Pass through the app for $10, which gets you a free taco everyday for 30 days.

6. Panda Express

Panda Express doesn’t include a value menu like many of the other fast-food restaurants, but it does boast a family meal option at a great value. This family dinner comes complete with your choice of three entrees and two sides for $29. Load up on orange chicken, beef broccoli and kung pao chicken for the family.

7. Little Caesars

Credit: Slickdeals/Little Caesars

Little Caesars is known for its Hot-N-Ready pizza deals. Grab a large Hot-N-Ready pizza for as little as $8. Hot-N-Ready Caesar wings are only $7.50. Or opt for a Hot-N-Ready meal deal including a large pizza, crazy combo, and two-liter bottle of soda for only $14.

8. KFC

KFC is an excellent option for feeding the whole family on a budget. KFC offers customizable sandwiches and tenders meal, which includes four chicken sandwiches, six chicken tenders, two large sides of your choice, four biscuits, and a beverage bucket. Prices vary depending on location.
If that’s too much food for your family, KFC also offers a customizable eight-piece meal, which includes:

• 2 Drums
• 2 Thighs
• 2 Breasts
• 2 Wings
• 2 Large Sides of Your Choice
• 4 Biscuits

Again, prices vary depending on location but averages around $25 per order.
Other offers include:

• 8-piece Tenders Meal
• 10-piece Feast
• KFC Chicken Sandwich Combo
• 3-piece Chicken Box (2 Breasts, 1 Wing)

9. Panera Bread

Credit: Panera

We’re not sure whether to consider this fast food or sit-down, but regardless, Panera Bread offers a great “You Pick Two” deal. You Pick Two allows you to pick any two entrees — a cup of soup, half sandwich, half salad, pizza, or warm bowl — plus of chips, an apple or baguette. Prices will vary depending on location.
Panera also features Value Duets which change regularly but cost just $6.99. Value duets can be a soup and salad or soup and sandwich combo.

Best Chain Restaurant Meal Deals

Perhaps you prefer sit-down restaurants if you’re going to eat out as a family. Your bill can easily become overwhelming at a sit-down restaurant if you order beverages, appetizers, desserts, and take into account the gratuity.
Fortunately, these chain restaurants offer great food specials.

1. Olive Garden

Olive Garden always offers its never-ending soup, salad, and breadsticks. Prices vary depending on location.
The restaurant chain also boasts great deals like buy one, take one entrees at various times throughout the year. Currently, Olive Garden is offering a $6 take-home entree with the purchase of any one entree in the restaurant.

Check Out: Olive Garden Specials and Deals

2. Buffalo Wild Wings

Credit: Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is an excellent restaurant to visit with family if you’re looking for great deals on delicious food.

• Wing Tuesdays offers buy one, get one 50% off traditional wings.
• Boneless Thursdays offers buy one, get one free boneless wings.
• You can also order 10 boneless wings and fries combo for only $9.99.

3. Chili’s

We understand that Chili’s is known for its baby back ribs, but the restaurant offers lots of tasty dishes for a great deal.
Currently, the restaurant is featuring three for $10.99, which includes a non-alcoholic drink, an appetizer, and an entree.
Or you can take advantage of the $25 meal for two. Choose from a selection of appetizers, two full-size entrees, and a dessert. Now, that’s a deal we can get behind!
Did we mention My Chili’s Rewards members receive emails and texts for a free kids meal for children 12 and under with the purchase of a regular entree?
For those who want an adult beverage with their food, Chili’s features a variety of $5 margaritas each month. Chili’s also offers happy hour deals, but they differ depending on location. Check your local restaurant for details.

4. Red Lobster

Credit: Red Lobster

Red Lobster is always boasting several deals to make dining out more affordable for the family. Current deals include three courses for $15.99, 10 under $10 weekday lunch menu, and daily deals.

• Ultimate Endless Shrimp Monday
• Two for Tuesday
• Steak & Lobster Wednesday
• Throwback Thursday
• Fish Fry Friday

5. Applebee’s

Applebee’s may be one of the most well-known restaurants for its great deals. The chain always offers its half-price appetizers after 9 p.m. and is currently offering two for $25, which includes the choice of one appetizer and two entrees.

6. Pizza Ranch

If you dine-in at Pizza Ranch, it’s always a great deal because you can eat as much as you want at the buffet for a flat rate. But it gets even better. Pizza Ranch also hosts Kids Eat Free events throughout the year. These events include a free kid’s buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet.
Ordering for take-out instead? No worries! Pizza Ranch offers pizza pack, chicken pack, and combo pack deals especially for take-out orders.

Eat Out Without Breaking the Bank

As you can see, dining out doesn’t have to empty your wallet. Planning ahead and knowing which restaurants offer the best deals is a great way to save money when you just don’t feel like cooking or you simply don’t have time.