McFlation: How McDonald’s Menu Prices Changed From the 1950s to Now
Once upon a time, a trip to McDonald’s barely dented your wallet. Burgers cost pocket change, shakes were a quarter, and “supersizing” only set you back 39 cents. But over the years, those cheap eats have ballooned in price, turning budget-friendly bites into full-fledged expenses. These photos show just how much McDonald’s prices have changed over the years.
1950s
The bare bones McDonald’s menu from the 1950s was heavy on the dimes. Of its nine menu items, six of them cost only 10 cents. The priciest thing you could order was a milkshake (chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla), which would cost you two FDR coins.
1960s
In the ’60s, McDonald’s welcomed more menu items with higher prices. The cost of a cheeseburger went up 6 cents and the shakes made their way to a full quarter. But the real steal of a deal was the 20-cent hot apple pies!
1970s
Prices saw a modest increase from the ’60s to the ’70s. Big Macs made their way to the menu at just 65 cents each, with the O.G. cheeseburger hanging out at nearly half the cost of a Mac at 33 cents.
1980s
Most menu items stayed beneath $1 each in the early ’80s, but the bigger burgers like Big Macs and Quarter pounds went north of $1. The most expensive menu item was a 20-piece McNugget at $3.90.
1990s
Ahh, the Extra Value Meals of the 1990s. You could even “supersize” them for 39 cents, upgrading to a giant fry and a large drink.
2001
The early 2000s McDonald’s menu was a lot to digest (literally), with an assortment of menu items from the Big ‘N Tasty to the McRib Jr. and Extra Value Meals galore. Each purchase was sort of like an investment though, since McDonald’s started their Monopoly game, providing patrons the promise of a potential fortune if they won.
2007
McDonald’s, if you’re reading this, please don’t merely bring our beloved Snack Wraps back. Please also offer them at the price they were in 2007. $1.29 each sounds like a dream.
2011
Remember in 2011 when McDonald’s started touting Angus beef options with flashy, almost-seven-dollar price tags? So uppity of them.
2017
Pre-COVID McDonald’s prices kept the Big Mac at just under $4, and you could grab two sausage burritos at breakfast for under $2.50. Not too shabby!
2025
Somehow, in less than ten years, the price of a Big Mac a la carte costs what a Big Mac Meal used to cost. You could go to a decent diner and order a meal for about the same price as hitting the Golden Arches’ drive-thru.