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.
![]() |
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
“I refuse to buy one at the grocery store and cook it at home.....15 to 20 bucks for a ribeye? Ridiculous”
Agree for the most part. Our exceptions are our Birthdays and Valentines day for a nice resturuant steak meal. We do occasionally find on sale a decent choice grade steak for $10 a pound in 3 steak value packs. We usually just share a 14 - 16 oz. Steak and freeze the other two.
When they aren’t on sale we have a grocery store chain based on the East and West Coasts called Grocery Outlet. They always have some vacuum sealed steaks for about $5.99 for 8 oz. Also they have a two pack of bacon wrapped 5oz. ea. steaks for $7.99. They aren’t half bad for select quality and they get us by until higher quality steaks go on sale.
Sounds like he was a money worshiper. That would explain why he refused to spend his precious coin on you hard working folks.....he didn’t see feeding you as important enough to part with it.
-
The Bible is very clear about money, and none of it good.
-
1 Timothy 6:10 is probably the one most people are familiar with.
-
As for the wife, I suspect she had the best life in regards to being financially secure she ever had and wasn’t going to do anything to rock that boat.....I have one or two of those in my neighborhood......it turns the wife into a doormat IMO.
-
Matthew 6:24
ESV
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
-
Have a blessed day my friend. 🙂
Yes brand names products come with KY jelly at the counter.
Great Value is a great value!
They only carry about 3 kinds cream of chicken chicken noodle and beet vegetable the last I checked.
Boring
Well that depends on which Walmart you went to.
As of March 15, 2025, there are 4,616 Walmart stores in the United States.
I went this morning to my own local Walmart, and they had Great Value Chicken Noodle, Vegetable Beef, Cream of Mushroom, Tomato, Cream of Chicken and Chicken and Rice. All of them were $.70 each.
So how did this start?
You said food prices were way up since Trump took office, 6 & 1/2 months ago. I disagreed. I provided data. You didn’t.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.