Chili’s generated considerable online interest by highlighting fast-food prices. A social media user, @YellowFlashGuy, shared a photo showing a menu at a Burger King. The menu displayed a Bacon King sandwich meal, complete with fries and a drink, priced at $18.19. The sandwich alone cost $12.99. The caption questioned the value, suggesting that going to a restaurant might offer better food at a similar price.
Why should I get this when I could just go to a restaurant?
Chili’s seized the opportunity to promote its offerings. The Chili’s response said, This is what we’ve been saying! Why do y’all let fast food play you like this? They highlighted their Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich 3 for Me deal, offering fries, chips, salsa, and a drink for $10.99. The post attracted over 5 million views and numerous positive interactions.
The Bacon King sandwich from Burger King features two quarter-pound patties, bacon, American cheese, ketchup, and mayo on a sesame seed bun. While Burger King notes that prices vary by location, many users favored Chili’s value proposition.
Responses to Chili’s varied. One user expressed enthusiasm about visiting Chili’s, to which the restaurant replied warmly. Another praised the Big Crispy Chicken’s value and taste. Despite some complaints, many comments defended Chili’s, attributing any negative experiences to individual cooks rather than the brand.
The Texas-based chain has been critiquing fast-food prices for years. A spokesperson for Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, shared that they launched their Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich in April. This item is part of Chili’s 3 for Me platform, starting at $10.99, to emphasize value. U.S. consumers increasingly prioritize affordability and convenience when dining out.
According to a study by FinanceBuzz, fast-food prices rose 60% on average from 2014 to 2024. Popmenu reported that 68% of U.S. consumers are dining out less, focusing more on value. Chili’s attention to value seems to be a key factor in the chain’s continued growth. Brinker International’s April report highlighted that Chili’s achieved its 20th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, with a 4% increase.
Teresa Mull, who is part of the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply