I hit the "Value" menu at most fast food--less food, better for diet, and cheaper. Well, used to be cheaper.
At Burger King you can use their app and the Offers to save quite a bit. Two days ago I got a Double Cheeseburger and fries for $4.99. Lots of other well-priced choices. If several of us are going, maybe one of the packaged offers work or we all go inside and purchase separately using each of our respective phones since the offers are one-only per person.
McDonald's app doesn't work well, prices are getting excessive. The $16 noted in the article is old, there was an article or report elsewhere saying now $18. We've come to avoid McDonalds as the prices are too much.
Taco Bell as a good Value menu. Still can get a decent (Taco Bell-wise) burrito for $2-3.
Blaze Pizza. Best deal around! Build your own, priced around $10. I usually eat half, save the balance for breakfast.
I'd have to already be pretty far gone before I'd brag about how I "gamed" the McD pricing system.
Regards,