The average price of a menu item at Taco Bell grew by 14.6% from September 2021 to September 2022, from $2.94 to $3.37.
While many chains have raised prices, they have found that specials and discounts are still essential to maintaining customer interest.
Three different $6 deals, including a main course like the Mexican Pizza, Crunchwrap Supreme, or
Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a side like Doritos Locos Tacos, and a medium-sized fountain drink, have been spotted at a Taco Bell in Ohio.
In Omaha, Nebraska this past summer, identical "Cravings Trios" were tested as $5 specials; however, the price of staple ingredients like beef has increased since then.
The $6 Cravings Trio is being tested in many Columbus, Ohio, locations to determine if the deal is good enough to roll out nationwide.
As costs have gone up, fast food establishments have seen no drop in business.
One way that low-income families can have a hot dinner for less than the cost of buying the separate components is by eating at fast food restaurants.
Despite a 7.6% drop in total restaurant visits in July and a 13.7% drop in August, traffic to McDonald's and Chipotle actually increased by 4.7% and 3.1%, respectively.
We probably saw what others saw. Low-income shoppers have reduced their shopping. Thankfully, most Chipotle customers aren't like this.