Taco Bell's new $7 value meal deal is among several discounted options offered by fast-food chains in a bid to entice price-weary customers.
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The fast food wars are heating up.
Last week, Taco Bell became the latest chain to announce that it's launching a new $7 value meal deal.
It joins chains like McDonald's and Burger King in offering new lower-priced deals as customers seek more value in the face of rising fast-food prices.
Prices have remained high since the pandemic when chains raised their menu prices in response to soaring food and labor costs. It's led some customers to order smaller portions or to start cooking more at home.
In a bid to get diners back, fast-food and restaurant chains are launching more value deals. So, how do the other offers stack up?
Taco Bell's new $7 Luxe Craving Box includes a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, alongside chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.
The limited-time deal gives customers a 55% discount off typical menu prices, the company said.
Earlier this year, Taco Bell overhauled its Cravings Value Menu by adding six new "meal-sized" items to the menu, which features items under $3.
Burger King also announced a limited-time value offer, the "$5 Your Way Meal." It includes a choice between a Whopper Jr., Bacon Cheeseburger, and Chicken Jr., alongside fries, four-piece chicken nuggets, and a soft drink, all for $5.
This deal is set to run for several months, unlike a similar deal offered by McDonald's, Bloomberg reported.
McDonald's launched its $5 offering at the end of June. It includes a choice between two of the chain's signature burgers — a McChicken or a McDouble — and a four-piece McNuggets, fries, and a drink.
Other chains are expanding their existing meal deals. Wendy's has announced that it's adding to its $3 breakfast deal for a limited time. Customers can pair a small portion of seasoned potatoes with a choice between two breakfast muffins — a bacon, egg, and cheese English muffin or a sausage, egg, and cheese English muffin, the company said.
The coffee chain has launched new $5 and $6 breakfast combos in June.
As part of this new "pairings menu," customers can get a 12-ounce iced or hot coffee or tea paired with a butter croissant from $5, or with a breakfast sandwich from $6.
Restaurant chains like Chili's are also rolling out more deals and portion sizes to capture some of fast-food's lost diners.
Chili's launched its new Big Smasher burger earlier this year — the burger costs $12.99 but comes down to $10.99 when part of the chain's "3 For Me" meal combo. The cheaper deals hope to capture those diners looking for value as fast-food prices creep up toward restaurant chain prices.
