Here’s a truth that might sting a little: Americans are fed up with restaurant prices. With dining out costs surging nearly 30% since the pandemic started, the frustration is real. You’ve probably felt it yourself, staring at a receipt that seems absurdly high for what used to be a casual meal.
A survey found that roughly about three quarters of Americans now view fast food as a luxury because of its price tag, which is honestly kind of wild when you think about it. Let’s be real, when your burger and fries cost more than a decent grocery haul, something’s gone seriously wrong. Recent data shows that nearly two thirds of Americans have been shocked by their fast-food bill in recent months. The chains below have drawn the most heat from customers who feel they’re paying premium prices for experiences that just don’t match up. So let’s dig into which restaurants are topping the overpriced list.
Shake Shack Tops the List
According to Preply’s study, Shake Shack received the most complaints of any national chain about its food being overly expensive. This comes after two price hikes in 2024. Let’s put this in perspective: a single ShackBurger typically runs between seven and eight dollars, depending on where you are. Add fries at around four and a half dollars, and your total hits at least eleven dollars and forty-eight cents, and that’s before you even consider a shake or drink. Customer complaints include paying sixty-five dollars for two burgers, one fry, and two drinks.
I get that Shake Shack positions itself as premium fast food with quality ingredients. They use hormone-free beef, Martin’s Potato Rolls, and make everything to order. That’s commendable, really. However, when customers are shelling out what feels like sit-down restaurant money for a burger at a counter-service spot, the value proposition starts to crumble. The thing is, lots of people remember when Shake Shack felt like a special treat that didn’t require taking out a small loan.
The Cheesecake Factory’s Pricing Paradox
The Cheesecake Factory comes in at number 9 out of 10 for customer experience and value in recent analysis, despite having the top-rated menu. Only two chains topped as “too expensive” in William Blair’s coverage – Starbucks and The Cheesecake Factory. Here’s where it gets interesting, though. Prices were up 10.5% in the second quarter at one point, which ranks among the highest increases in the industry.
One customer noted that Pasta Carbonara cost sixteen dollars and ninety-five cents years ago, plus three dollars for chicken, but now it’s nearly doubled in price to twenty-eight dollars and ninety-five cents. That’s a hefty jump for the same quality and quantity. Still, the massive portions mean most people take home leftovers, which some argue justifies the cost. Others feel they’re paying more for the Instagram-worthy decor and experience rather than exceptional food quality. It’s a mixed bag, honestly.
Chipotle’s Shrinking Value Proposition
Chipotle has been under fire for multiple reasons lately. Chipotle raised prices nationwide by roughly 2% to help offset inflation, marking the first time the chain raised prices in over a year. The company said the price increase was modest but necessary to counter rising costs, including wages and ingredient inflation. A recent customer order of two bowls with double meat and guacamole plus two sodas totaled fifty-two dollars and sixty-four cents, when a meal used to cost between eight and twelve dollars three years ago.
Chipotle was under fire earlier this year after customer complaints about skimping on portion sizes. Customers literally started filming workers behind the counter to ensure they weren’t being shortchanged on their bowls. That’s a level of distrust you really don’t want as a brand. The combination of higher prices and perceived smaller portions has left many longtime fans questioning whether Chipotle still offers good value, even with its fresh ingredients and customizable options. Some customers have simply walked away.
Five Guys Falls Into Premium Territory
Five Guys, whose prices have been decried as “out of control,” followed Shake Shack as the chain with the second most overpriced food complaints. I’ve heard people joke that you need to check your bank balance before walking into Five Guys, and honestly, it’s not that far from the truth. A burger, fries, and drink can easily clear twenty dollars depending on your location and what toppings you choose.
Here’s the thing, though: Five Guys doesn’t hide what it is. They’ve positioned themselves as a premium burger joint from the start, with fresh-cut fries cooked in peanut oil and customizable burgers with quality beef. The free peanuts while you wait are a nice touch. Still, when competitors offer similar quality at lower price points, or when you can get a sit-down restaurant burger for just a few dollars more, customers start questioning whether Five Guys is worth the premium. The generous portion of fries helps soften the blow, I’ll give them that. You basically get enough fries to feed a small army. Whether that justifies the overall cost is another matter entirely.
Subway Struggles with Value Perception
What was once considered an affordable lunch option is now viewed by many as overpriced, especially compared to local delis and newer fast-casual competitors like Jersey Mike’s. Diners mention paying sit-down restaurant prices for a sandwich that does not feel premium. This represents a massive shift for Subway, which built its entire empire on being the affordable, healthier fast-food alternative.
The quality concerns don’t help matters. Multiple reviewers describe the food as bland, with complaints about too much mayo, old vegetables, and protein that tastes off. When you’re charging premium prices, the food needs to match that expectation, and many customers feel Subway falls short. The chain has tried menu refreshes and new offerings, but the fundamental issue remains: people don’t want to pay restaurant prices for sandwiches they perceive as low-quality. Local delis often offer better sandwiches for comparable prices, which makes Subway’s value proposition even harder to swallow.
Olive Garden’s Inflation Reality
Executives from Darden Restaurants, the company who own Olive Garden and other chains, predicted a 2% to 3% price increase for 2025. In response, loyal Olive Garden customers have expressed their frustration since the quality of the food hasn’t matched the increase in cost. This puts mid-tier chains like Olive Garden in the awkward position of being expensive compared to home cooking but still cheaper than true upscale dining.
The unlimited breadsticks and salad have always been Olive Garden’s calling card, and I’ll admit those breadsticks are genuinely good. Yet when entrees start creeping toward twenty dollars or more, customers expect more than microwaved pasta. The chain occupies this weird middle ground where it’s too expensive to be casual but not nice enough to be special occasion dining. Many families who once viewed Olive Garden as an affordable treat now see it as a splurge they can’t justify as often. That shift fundamentally changes the restaurant’s role in American dining culture.
