A look at the new inexpensive dishes and menus from the major fast-food chains – NBC Chicago

Welcome to the summer of cheap meals.

Several fast-food chains have launched discount menus in recent weeks to attract customers amid rising prices across the industry. McDonald’s and Taco Bell are just two of the major chains involved in the discount menu battle with their respective $5 menus and the $7 Luxe Cravings Box.

But what exactly is included in these benefit menus and how long will they be available?

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable:

Burger King

Burger King launched a $5 “Have Your Way” menu last month. The menu consists of a Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger, plus four chicken nuggets, French fries and a soft drink.

Burger King plans to offer the $5 menu for “several months,” according to a memo seen by Bloomberg.

KFC

KFC has been offering a variety of value menus since April. Taste of KFC’s offerings include a $4.99 meal for one, a meal for two and a $20 family meal.

Here’s a detailed look at each one:

• $4.99 meal for one person: Two pieces of chicken (leg and thigh), mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit.
• Dinner for two: Four pieces of chicken (leg, thigh, breast, wing), mashed potatoes and gravy, and two biscuits. The price of this offer varies by location.
• $20 Family Meal: Six chicken pieces (two drumsticks, two thighs, one breast and one wing), four individual sides and four buns. Choice of sides: secret recipe fries, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (with or without gravy), coleslaw and sweet corn.

The offers are available until the end of the year.

MC Donalds

McDonald’s brought back its $5 meal deal on June 25. The deal includes the choice of a McChicken or a McDouble, along with four chicken nuggets, French fries and a drink.

The $5 menu offer will run for four weeks as a nationwide promotion, but McDonald’s USA president Joe Erlinger said some local markets, such as Dallas and Las Vegas, have already decided to keep it on the menu longer.

sound

Sonic announced a FUN.99 menu on July 1, offering a wide variety of dishes for $1.99 each. The value-priced menu includes a Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Coney, Bacon Ranch Queso Wrap, Southwest Crunch Queso Wrap, small snacks and all 12 Sonic Shake flavors in a 16-ounce package.

The affordable dishes aren’t a temporary addition to the menu either. Sonic says the FUN.99 menu is “here to stay.”

Starbucks

Although Starbucks is not a fast-food chain, the coffee giant has entered the cheap meal battle with a limited-time offer. The Starbucks Pairing Menu lets customers get a large hot/iced coffee or tea with a croissant for $5. Customers can also pair a large hot/iced coffee or tea with a breakfast sandwich for $6 or $7, depending on the sandwich.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell introduced its $7 Luxe Cravings Box on June 27. The box includes a Chalupa Supreme, a 5-Layer Burrito, a Double Stacked Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium soft drink. According to Taco Bell, the deal gives customers 55% off.

The Luxe Cravings Box is only available for a limited time.