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Posted on 08/21/2025 11:05:18 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Almost half of U.S. adults say they're ordering from restaurant kid menus in order to save money when they go out to eat and to opt for smaller portions, new research shows.
About 44% of adults surveyed by Lightspeed Commerce, a provider of point-of-sale technology for hospitality businesses, said they're ordering from the kids' menus at restaurants. Kids' meals are traditionally less expensive than those on adult menus because portion sizes are usually smaller.
The trend comes as some consumers are cutting back on eating out, with McDonald's and Wendy's earlier this month reported sluggish breakfast sales. The companies attributed the trend to heightened economic uncertainty and pressures facing low-income consumers.
Adult diners said smaller portions, simpler menus and lower prices are compelling them to turn to kids' menus, Lightspeed said.
"Whether it's a mini burger or mac and cheese, the kids' menu is becoming a smart option — not just a nostalgic one," Lightspeed researchers said.
The cost of fast food has also skyrocketed over the past decade, according to a 2024 report by FinanceBuzz. The personal finance site found that the price of a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal more than doubled in price from $5.39 in 2014 to $11.99 in 2024.
At McDonald's, a six-piece chicken McNugget Happy Meal, which comes with fries, milk and apple juice, costs $5.99. By comparison, an order of six McNugget's from the burger chain's McValue menu costs $5.59, but doesn't include fries or drinks.
Eating at restaurants has become more costly, with the most recent consumer price index data, which measures changes in the price of everyday goods, showing that the cost of dining out has risen 3.9% over the past 12 months.
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“Eating at restaurants has become more costly”
Ain’t that the truth....I don’t know how the average person can order a steak in a restaurant....I refuse to buy one at the grocery store and cook it at home.....15 to 20 bucks for a ribeye? Ridiculous
The policy at most restaurants is you get a
kids meal only when you order a regular meal.
Truth is that most restaurants with a “seniors” menu have about kids meal portion size so there is that. Makes sense for senior citizens to just order from the kids menu if it fits their portion size preference.
It seems like at McDonalds they have healthier options for the sides on their kids meals. Apple slices and the like.
Why?
When they ask me at McDonald’s if I want to “supersize” it, I almost inevitably say yes. I’ve got to eat better, I’ll think.
I’ve been thinking about switching to kids’ size meals.
“My son, while you are well, govern your appetite, and see that you do not allow it what is bad for you. ... For sickness comes with overeating ... Through overeating many have died but the abstemious one prolongs his life.”
-Sirach 37:27,30,31
Don’t some restaurants not allow adults to order of the kids menu?
Awhh, be honest guys, you’re just doing it for the toys!
AND...you’re 12 and under.
Me and the wife always split a nice meal when we go out. Maybe add a salad or side dish. Restaurants are the ones who kept increasing portion sizes until it was enough for two.
When we retired in ‘16 we commonly went to a nice Thai place for $25 including tip. It is nearly $35 now. Same ratio for any place now, about a 40% increase and most of it came in the last 5 years. It isn’t over yet, not by a long shot.
Like I said at the end of my last comment....Too expensive....I CAN afford it, but I’m not....
The restaurant steaks use something called “Moo Gloo”.
I had a supervisor that would order the kids meal if possible when we went out for lunch at work.
Used to embarrass me to no end.....he had the money, he was just a cheapskate.
$25.00/hr minimum wage is having a YUGE impact as labor is the number one cost in the restaurant biz ...
I’ve heard that
The first time I ever ate out at a restaurant was at a little luncheonette across the street from the welfare department in Rochester, NY where I worked in 1965. I was 18 years old. We didn’t have a car when I was growing up, so going out to eat wasn’t an option. Later, when our office moved to a new building in the same area, one of my co-workers had a car, and a group of us would eat lunch at the local restaurants. Eating out was cheap back then.
I wish they had not advertised this... I was getting a better deal with two kid’s meals vs one adult meal...
Now they will raise the prices on kid’s meals... Watch... Greedy SOBs...
Say what you want about McNuggets.....I love those things.
Add a large fry and coke and I’m good to go. 👍
AND...you have to be 12 and under to get kid’s meal.
Right
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