Cheapest Burger Chains in 2026

19 chains rankedUpdated September 26, 2026

Checkers & Rally's is the cheapest burger chain we track, with a typical menu price of $3.49 — 74% below Red Robin at the other end of the table. Full ranking below, worked out from every priced item on each menu.

Burger Chains Ranked by Price

#	Restaurant	Typical price	Cheapest item
1	Checkers & Rally's 21 items priced · average $4.24	$3.49	Famous Seasoned Fries (small)$2.29
2	Del Taco 44 items priced · average $4.25	$3.49	Value Taco$1.29
3	Wendy's 49 items priced · average $4.95	$4.19	Frosty (junior)$1.49
4	Sonic Drive-In 42 items priced · average $4.66	$4.29	$1.99 Snack Menu items$1.99
5	McDonald's 51 items priced · average $4.97	$4.29	Apple Slices$1.29
6	Burger King 45 items priced · average $5.13	$4.29	Soft Serve Cone$1.79
7	In-N-Out Burger 23 items priced · average $4.90	$4.35	Milk$1.30
8	Cook Out 40 items priced · average $5.16	$4.79	Coleslaw$1.99
9	Jack in the Box 44 items priced · average $4.94	$4.99	Two Tacos$1.79
10	Hardee's 26 items priced · average $4.96	$4.99	Hash Rounds (medium)$2.29
11	Dairy Queen 42 items priced · average $6.86	$5.00	Dilly Bar$2.29
12	Carl's Jr. 27 items priced · average $5.58	$5.49	Chocolate Chip Cookie$1.49
13	Whataburger 44 items priced · average $6.87	$5.49	Apple Slices$1.99
14	Steak 'n Shake 44 items priced · average $5.84	$5.79	Coffee$2.29
15	Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 44 items priced · average $5.94	$5.99	Coffee$2.29
16	Culver's 42 items priced · average $8.19	$8.29	Fountain Drink (regular)$2.79
17	Five Guys 29 items priced · average $8.82	$8.69	Bottled Water$2.69
18	Portillo's 40 items priced · average $14.10	$9.29	Fries (regular)$3.79
19	Red Robin 27 items priced · average $11.49	$13.49	Bottomless Soda$3.99

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The Cheapest Burger Options in Detail

1. Checkers & Rally's — typical item $3.49

Checkers and Rally's are the same drive-thru chain under two names, and they compete almost entirely on price: the Big Buford costs about $5.99, a large Famous Seasoned Fries about $3.49, and the 2-for-$6 and $1 menu deals undercut every major burger chain…

The menu runs $2.29 (Famous Seasoned Fries (small)) to $12.99 (Wings (10 pc)) across 21 priced items, averaging $4.24. The 2 for $6 deal mixes Big Bufords, Mother Crunchers and other sandwiches and saves about $4 on two items. See the full Checkers & Rally's menu →

2. Del Taco — typical item $3.49

Del Taco is the second-largest Mexican-inspired fast food chain in the United States, and it is unusual in serving both tacos and burgers from the same kitchen. Its differentiator is fresh preparation — beans cooked in-store daily, cheese grated on site…

The menu runs $1.29 (Value Taco) to $11.79 (Epic Burrito Combo) across 44 priced items, averaging $4.25. The 20 Under $2 menu is the deepest value lineup in Mexican fast food — a Value Taco at $1.29 and a cheeseburger at $1.99 from the same window. See the full Del Taco menu →

3. Wendy's — typical item $4.19

Wendy's built its 2026 pricing around one number: the Biggie Bag. At $5 to $7 depending on the tier it is the most aggressive full-meal bundle any of the big three burger chains runs, and it is the reason the à-la-carte board looks expensive by comparison…

The menu runs $1.49 (Frosty (junior)) to $12.29 (Baconator Combo) across 49 priced items, averaging $4.95. The $5 Biggie Bag is the most complete meal for the money at any national burger chain — the four items separately run about $11. See the full Wendy's menu →

4. Sonic Drive-In — typical item $4.29

Sonic is the last major drive-in chain in America: you park in a stall, order from a speaker, and a carhop brings the food out. That format is the brand, and it is why the drink menu — well over a million claimed combinations of sodas, slushes, limeades and…

The menu runs $1.99 ($1.99 Snack Menu items) to $9.29 (SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger) across 42 priced items, averaging $4.66. Happy Hour from 2:00 to 4:00 PM every day takes 50 percent off all drinks and slushes — the single biggest recurring discount in fast food. See the full Sonic Drive-In menu →

5. McDonald's — typical item $4.29

McDonald's is the price benchmark the rest of American fast food is measured against. With more than 13,500 U.S. restaurants and roughly 95% of them franchised, the same Big Mac can swing more than two dollars between a rural Midwest drive-thru and a…

The menu runs $1.29 (Apple Slices) to $24.99 (Bundle Box (family)) across 51 priced items, averaging $4.97. The $5 Meal Deal is the single best value on the menu — the same four items ordered separately run close to $12. See the full McDonald's menu →

About these prices: menu prices are set by individual franchise owners and change without notice. The figures on this page are researched estimates for 2026 and are provided for reference only. Confirm the current price with the restaurant before ordering. Menu Price Book is not affiliated with this chain.

Cheapest Burger Chains — FAQ

What is the cheapest burger chain in 2026?

Checkers & Rally's has the lowest typical menu price of the 19 burger chains we track, at $3.49. Its cheapest item is Famous Seasoned Fries (small) at $2.29.

How much does a burger meal cost in 2026?

Across the 19 chains ranked here the typical single item runs from $3.49 to $13.49. Add a side and a drink and a full meal lands roughly $7.33 to $28.33 depending on where you order.

How is this ranking worked out?

Every priced item on each chain's menu is collected, then the chains are ordered by the midpoint of their menu — the median price. A median is used rather than an average so that one expensive family platter does not make an otherwise cheap chain look costly.

Are these prices the same everywhere?

No. Franchise owners set their own prices, so figures move between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. The ranking reflects the prices that appear most often across U.S. markets.